Anterior plate fixation of traumatic lesions of the lower cervical spine.

Anterior fixation of traumatic lesions of the cervical spine with a plate and bone grafts has been proved to be a safe procedure. Patients without neurologic lesions can be out of hospital 7 to 10 days after the accident. Even in cases of serious neurologic lesions, rehabilitation and nursing of the patient can be improved. Although the method can be used in any case of traumatic instability of the cervical spine, the main indications are teardrop fractures not reduced by skull traction, severe wedging fractures, severe extension injuries, and any lesion with compression in the anterior part of the canal. Old kyphotic blocks or unreduced fracture-dislocations, with anterior bone and fibrous callus, can be treated with this method better than with any other technique. Forty patients were successfully operated on without major complications. Stability and alignment of the spine was achieved in all cases.