Abstract
We have reviewed the case records of 8 patients with odontoid fractures treated by anterior screw fixation. The mean age at the time of injury was 44.8 years old (range 17-91 years old). Of these patients, 6 were men and two were women. The mechanism of injury in all was high-energy trauma; 4 patients were injured in motor vehicle accidents, and 4 patients fell from a height. There were 7 patients with Anderson and D’Alonzo type II fractures and 1 with type III. The mean interval to the operation was 17.8 days (range 3-45 days). The mean follow-up period was 55 months (range 6-101 months). Clinical results were evaluated using X-ray, CT scan and MRI.
The mean operation time was 75 minutes (55-115 minutes). Of 8 patients, 7 (88%) achieved bony union by anterior screw fixation. One patient, in a case of non-union, required a secondary posterior fusion after anterior screw fixation. No patient developed infection or neurological injury after surgery. A full of range of motion was obtained in all cases.
We conclude that anterior screw fixation, although technically demanding, is an effective and relatively safe procedure in the treatment of odontoid fractures.
