P.091 Anterior surgical fixation for cervical spine flexion-distraction injuries

Abstract

Background: Optimal surgical management for flexion--distraction cervical spine injuries remains controversial with anterior, posterior, and circumferential fixation being accepted. Here, we examined risk factors for clinical and radiographic failure in patients with one segment cervical flexion-distraction injuries having undergone anterior surgical fixation. Methods: A retrospective review of 57 consecutive patients undergoing anterior fixation for cervical flexion-distraction injuries between 2008-2012 was performed. The primary outcome was the number of patients requiring additional surgical stabilization and/or radiographic failure. Data collected inlcuded age, gender, mechanism and level of injury, facet pattern injury, and vertebral endplate fracture. Results: Six patients failed clinically and/or radiographically (11%). Four patients (7%) required additional posterior fixation. Two patients identified met radiographic failure criteria, however had fused radiographically, were stable clinically, and no further treatment was pursued. Progressive kyphosis and translation correlated with need for revision (p<0.05 and p=0.02, respectively). No differences were identified for all other clinical and radiological factors assessed. Conclusions: This study supports the growing body of evidence for anterior fixation alone for flexion-distraction injuries. Findings suggest that measurements including segmental translation and kyphosis may predict radiographic failure and need for further surgical stabilization in some patients. Assessment for independent risk factors for anterior approach failure with a validated predictive scoring model should be considered.