Neurological Outcome following Early versus Delayed Lower Cervical Spine Surgery

Purpose. To determine whether the timing of surgery affects neurological outcome in patients with lower cervical spine trauma. Methods. 29 patients with a fracture and 38 with a fracture-dislocation of C3 to C7 cervical vertebrae were treated operatively during the inclusive period January 1987 to D...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of orthopaedic surgery (Hong Kong) 2007-08, Vol.15 (2), p.183-186
Main Authors: Sapkas, GS, Papadakis, SA
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Cervical Vertebrae - injuries
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Independent sample
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Medical research
Medical treatment
Middle Aged
Motor Activity - physiology
Patients
Retrospective Studies
Spinal cord injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries - diagnosis
Spinal Cord Injuries - etiology
Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology
Spinal Fractures - complications
Spinal Fractures - diagnosis
Spinal Fractures - surgery
Sports injuries
Time Factors
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Purpose. To determine whether the timing of surgery affects neurological outcome in patients with lower cervical spine trauma. Methods. 29 patients with a fracture and 38 with a fracture-dislocation of C3 to C7 cervical vertebrae were treated operatively during the inclusive period January 1987 to December 2000. Surgery was performed as soon as the patient's medical condition allowed, within 72 hours in 31 and more than 72 hours after the injury in 36. Results. Only patients with incomplete spinal cord injury had neurological improvement after surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in final neurological outcomes in patients having early as opposed to delayed surgery. Conclusion. Surgical intervention for cervical injuries is safe, as no postoperative neurological deterioration was recorded. Timing of surgery does not affect neurological outcome.
ISSN:1022-5536
2309-4990
DOI:10.1177/230949900701500212