title: Posterior acrylic surgical fixation of odontoid fractures.
abstract: Fourteen cases of odontoid fractures had, as primary treatment, a posterior surgical fixation (C1 + C2 + C3 and occiput in some cases) by means of acrylate and stainless steel wires, without waiting for the unpredictable final results of external systems of stabilization. The youngest patient was 20 years old, the oldest 84 years old. No immediate or late neurological complications occurred (follow-up: one year to ten years). All the patients were mobilized early without external fixation. Union of the dens took place in eleven cases, and good stabilization in the remainder. Thirteen patients recovered, one improved. Posterior acrylic fixation is the treatment of choice in cases of odontoid fracture, particularly in elderly patients in whom a solid union rarely is obtained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Ospedale Le Scotte, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gambacorta
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Reale
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000293:injuries*; D001864:Bone Wires; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; C036658:acrylic acid