[Surgical treatment of fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the value of anterior operation in fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae.


METHODS
From 1997, 21 patients with fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebra and thoracic vertebrae were operated on. The interval between injury and operation was within 24 hours in 4 cases, 2-7 days in 9 cases, 8-14 days in 3 cases and within 4 weeks in 5 cases. The locations were C6,7 in 7 cases, C7 in 9 cases and T1 in 5 cases. The nerves function of spinal of all the cases have different degrees of injury. Classification of Frankel were the following: 3 cases of grade A, 6 cases of grade B, 9 cases of grade C, and 3 cases of grade D. The operative procedure included the following: anterior operation of cervical vertebrae; incision of most fracture vertebral body to decompress; transplantation of ilium bone grafting fusion; and internal fixation of anterior cervical vertebrae with locking-steel.


RESULTS
In 21 patients, 1 died of accompanying by pulmonary infection; 20 were followed up 8 months to 3 years with an average of 21 months. All transplanted ilium had fused. The nerve function of spinal cord had recovered in different degrees(2 cases of grade A, 1 case of grade C, 9 cases of grade D and 8 cases of grade E); the turn of vertebral column was normal. No internal fixation failed.


CONCLUSIONS
Anterior operation is a better way to treat fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae with easy operation, less complications, satisfactory reduction of fracture and good stability.
Xie
Shuo-sheng
SS
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First People's Hospital of Yulin, Yulin, Guangxi, P. R. China, 537000.
Huang
De-zheng
DZ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000637:transplantation; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery