Surgical treatment improves survival of elderly with axis fracture-a national population-based multiregistry cohort study.

Background Context: Fractures of the axis (C2) are the most common cervical spinal injuries in the elderly population. Several authors have reported improved survival among elderly patients with C2 fractures when treated surgically.

Purpose: We aimed to analyze whether surgery improves survival of elderly with C2 fractures.

Study Design/setting: An observational population-based longitudinal multi-registry study was carried out.

Patient Sample: Swedish Patient Registry 1997 to 2014 and Swedish Cause of Death Registry 1997 to 2014 served as source of patient sample.

Outcome Measures: Survival after C2 fracture according to non-surgical and surgical treatment was the outcome measure.

Methods: We included all patients treated for the primary diagnosis of C2 fracture (10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems or ICD-10: S12.1) at an age ≥70 years and receiving treatment at a health-care facility. Non-surgical treatment comprises cervical collar or halo-vest treatment. Surgical treatment was identified in the Swedish patient registry extract using the Swedish classification of procedural codes. Survival was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Comorbidity was determined using the Charlson Comorbidity Index.

Results: Of the included 3,375 elderly patients with C2 fractures (43% men, aged 83±7 years), 22% were treated surgically. Surgical treatment was assigned based on age, gender, and year of treatment. The 1-year survival of 2,618 non-surgically treated patients was 72% (n=1,856), and 81% (n=614) for the 757 surgically treated (p<.001, relative risk reduction=11%). Adjusted for age, gender, comorbidity, and year of injury, surgically treated patients had greater survival than non-surgically treated patients (hazard ratio=0.88, 95% confidence interval: 0.79-0.97). Among those above 88 years of age (95% confidence interval: 85-92), surgical treatment lost its effect on survival.

Conclusions: Despite the frailty of elderly patients, the morbidity of cervical external immobilization with a rigid collar seemingly weighs greater than surgical morbidity, even in octogenarians. For those above 88 years of age, non-surgical treatment should be primarily attempted.