[Anterior approach in the surgical treatment of cervical fracture and spinal cord injury].

Objective: To explore value of the anterior approach in the surgical treatment of cervical fracture and spinal cord injury.

Methods: Thirty-one cases of cervical fracture and spinal cord injury were treated. All the patients were operated on in general anaesthesia by anterior decompression, reduction, auto-iliac graft and ORION cervical plate fixation. All the cases were evaluated according to Frankel criteria of the neural function preoperatively, and 3 months and 6 months after the operation.

Results: Twenty-eight cases were followed up for an average of 13.8 months (ranging from 3 to 18 months). All the fractures and dislocations were reduced satisfyingly. All the bone-grafts were fused within 3 months after the operation. There was no plate or screw complication in any of the cases. The Frankel grade improvement rates were 50%, and 82.1% in 28 cases at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively; the average Frankel grade was improved by a 0.64 and 1.14 grade respectively.

Conclusion: For cervical fracture and spinal cord injury, an ideal reduction and immediate stability can be obtained through the anterior approach. Early surgery can significantly improve the spinal cord function and avoid missing the operation opportunity due to occurring complications.