New AOSpine subaxial cervical spine injury classification and its clinical usage.

INTRODUCTION

The main aim of this paper is to introduce a new AOSpine subaxial cervical spine injury classification system to the national medical community since there is no generally accepted classification system until now.

METHOD

A description of the new AOSpine subaxial cervical spine injury classification and the basic principles of it exploitation are proposed in this text. Usage of the abovementioned classification in clinical practice is demonstrated on a sample of 48 patients who were investigated and treated at the author's department during the last two years. The assessment of injured spine stability and the surgical approach used are based on the above classification.

RESULTS

Type A0 injury was recorded in 5 (10.4%), A1 in 4 (8.3%), A2 in 2 (4.2%), A3 in 1(2.1%), A4 in 7 (14.6%), B2 in 2 (4.2%), B3 in 4 (8.3%), C in 12 (25%), F1 in 2 (4.2%), F2 in 4 (8.3%), F3 in 3 (6.3%) and F4 in 2 (4.2%) patients. Inter-observer agreement on each type of injury was achieved in 64.3%; as regards classification into the main groups A, B, C and D, consensus was reached in 89.3% cases. Eleven (22.9%) patients classified as A0, A1 and F1 were treated conservatively and 37 (77.1%) underwent surgery.

CONCLUSION

New AOSpine subaxial cervical spine injury classification represents a useful tool, allowing for proper assessment of injury severity and helping to select the type of eventual surgical procedure. Key words: classification - fracture - cervical spine - subaxial.