title: Early mobilization following anterior fixation with bone graft and metal plate in traumatic cervical fracture dislocations.
abstract: Eighteen cases of traumatic fracture dislocation were managed surgically using a technique which involved an anterior cervical approach followed by discectomy, bone graft, and insertion of a metal plate. The patients were mobilized early to prevent the usual complications of bedsores, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, chest infection, and contractures. After more than two years of follow-up, no patient has had problems with local infection, screw loosening, neurological deterioration, dysphagia, or persistence of laryngeal nerve paresis. The benefits of this technique, already endorsed by some authors, include reduced morbidity and hospitalization as well as decreased demand on the staff, particularly as required by quadriplegic patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, King Fahad Hospital, Madina Al-Munawara, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fardoun
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ur Rehman