Metal plate fixation after anterior fusion of unstable fracture dislocations of the cervical spine.

Unstable fracture dislocations due to torn ligaments, fractures of both articular processes, or detachments of entire vertebral arches from vertebral bodies still pose the problem of fixation after anterior fusion. The application of internal metal plate fixation--using the small AO (ASFI) fragment equipment--is described in 3 cases, and the advantages of this type of fixation are discussed.