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Cervical spine fractures in the elderly: morbidity and mortality after operative treatment

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European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Although there are currently many different strategies and recommendations in the therapy of cervical spine fractures in elderly patients, there are still no generally accepted treatment algorithms. The aim of the present study was to analyze the morbidity, mortality, and outcome of operated cervical spine injuries in the elderly.

Methods

This study presents a retrospective review of 69 patients aged 65 years or older admitted to our level I trauma center with cervical spine injury, who had undergone surgical treatment. The data were acquired by analysis of the hospital inpatient enquiry system and radiological review.

Results

The ratio between male and female patients was 37:32. The average age of the patients was 76 years (ranging from 65 to 96 years) for males and 80 years (ranging from 66 to 93 years) for females. Injury to the cervical spine was caused by low-energy trauma in 71 % and high-energy trauma in 29 %, respectively. 55.1 % sustained isolated cervical spine injuries, 39.1 % injuries to two adjacent vertebrae, 2.9 % injuries to three adjacent vertebrae, and 2.9 % an odontoid fracture combined with associated fracture(s) in non-contiguous vertebra(e). Isolated spine injury level was dominated by C2 (47.8 %). The most common site for injuries to two adjacent vertebrae was observed at C6/C7 (14.5 %). The morbidity included cerebral complications, respiratory complications, Clostridium difficile-associated disease, heart failure, and acute renal failure. Operative complications included dislocation/malposition, neurovascular lesions, wound infection, and transient swallowing difficulty. The mortality rate at 3 months was 26.1 %, with an in-hospital mortality of 21.7 %. Age was associated with mortality at 3 months. A cervical fracture-induced neurological deficit was documented in 26.1 %, resulting in a mortality of 44.4 % (8/18). Twenty-seven of 33 patients living at home/nursing home at the time of injury returned to their home/nursing home after their hospitalization. The overall outcome was predominantly related to age and the severity of neurological deficit.

Conclusions

In elderly patients with cervical spine fractures, the hospital course is complicated by medical issues and early mortality rates are significant. Therefore, treatment strategies should be carefully individualized to the patients and their comorbidities.

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Abbreviations

ACF:

Anterior cervical fusion

ASOI:

Associated injuries

CSI:

Cervical spine injury

OSF:

Odontoid screw fixation

PCF:

Posterior cervical fusion

PLC:

Posterior ligamentous complex

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Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

    A. L. Sander, A. El Saman, P. Delfosse, S. Wutzler, S. Meier, I. Marzi & H. Laurer

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  1. A. L. Sander
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  2. A. El Saman
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  3. P. Delfosse
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  4. S. Wutzler
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  7. H. Laurer
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Correspondence to A. L. Sander.

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Sander, A.L., El Saman, A., Delfosse, P. et al. Cervical spine fractures in the elderly: morbidity and mortality after operative treatment. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 39, 469–476 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-013-0311-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-013-0311-5

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