title: [Evaluation of 138 fractures of the cervical spine during a recent 5-year period (1979 to 1983). Therapeutic approaches].
abstract: 138 cervical spine fractures are reviewed during a recent period of 5 years (1979-1983). Their frequency stay high. The serial concern 67% of men and 33% of women. We observe a peak age between 20 and 30 (23%). 65% of lesions are caused by a traffic injury, 27% by a falling down, 10% by a diving. 45% of cases interest the upper cervical spine (C1-C2) with a high proportion of odontoid process fractures (60%) and Hangman's fractures (30%); 54% of cases concern the lower cervical spine (C3-C7) with an important part of fracture-luxation (72%), specially C5-C6 (35%). Clinically, we note almost a same part of fractures without neurological disturbances (54%) and with neurological abnormalities (46%). In this situation, the sensitive and motor loss are often severe (78%). In 40%, the injuries are polytraumatism and association spine lesion, cranio-cerebral lesion is the most frequent (61%). In upper cervical spine fractures, after Crutchfield or Gardner traction, posterior fixation was performed (62%). The treatment was conservative in 30%. In lower cervical spine lesions, a secondary surgical approach by an antero-lateral way was made (53%). The treatment was initially surgical in 13% and conservative in 28%. The mortality rate of this pathology is important (22%; i.e. 30 deaths on 138 cases).
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000293:injuries; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000293:injuries; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries; D013123:Spinal Fusion
vernacular_title: Bilan de 138 fractures du rachis cervical sur une période récente de 5 ans (1979 à 1983). Attitudes thérapeutiques.