title: [Anterior operative approach for the treatment of old inferior-cervical fracture-dislocation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the choice of operative approach for old inferior-cervical fracture-dislocation and analyze the clinical effects of anterior operative approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2003 to May 2010, 17 patients with inferior-cervical fracture-dislocation delayed for more than 4 weeks were treated with continued closed skull traction and anterior decompression, bone graft and internal fixation with steel plate. Among the patients, 11 patients were male and 6 patients were female with an average age of 41 years (ranged from 24 to 56 years). The time between injury and operation was from 4 weeks to 3 months. According to Frankel grade, grade A was in 7 cases, B in 4, C in 2, D in 2, E in 2. Neurological function, bone fusion height of vertebral body and cervical sequence and curvature were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incision of 17 cases obtained primary healing. There was 1 case with hoarseness, and symptoms disappeared after 1 month. The mean time of follow-up was 23 months (ranged from 4 to 47 months). The X-ray films showed satisfactory reduction and good alignment and lordosis. The Frankel grade improved obviously at final follow-up, grade A was in 5 cases, B in 5, C in 1 , D in 3, E in 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single anterior operative approach can successfully reduce old inferior-cervical fracture-dislocation of DF stage I , II and some stage III; anterior decompression, bone graft and internal fixation with steel plate is a safe, effective method for old inferior-cervical fracture-dislocation.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian, China. longdada@sina.com
authors: Long
authors: L
authors: Huang
authors: Qi-ren
authors: QR
authors: Lin
authors: Jie-miao
authors: JM
authors: Huang
authors: Zhao-jun
authors: ZJ
authors: Zeng
authors: Zhang-sheng
authors: ZS
authors: Dai
authors: Li-jiang
authors: LJ
authors: He
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult