Immediate anterior open reduction and plate fixation in the management of lower cervical dislocation with facet interlocking

Lower cervical dislocation with facet interlocking is a severe spinal injury. This study introduces a new surgical method involving immediate anterior open reduction and plate fixation. The procedure involves anterior open reduction, realignment, and plate fixation under general anesthesia. Post-surgery, most patients showed improved neurological function, and stable fusion was observed after one year. The study concludes that immediate anterior open reduction and plate fixation is a safe and effective treatment for lower cervical dislocation with facet interlocking.

• 1
  The majority of patients (71.4%) exhibited improved neurological function following the immediate anterior open reduction and plate fixation procedure.
• 2
  All 21 patients showed stable fusion at a minimum of 1-year follow-up, as assessed by lateral radiographs, with no loss of spinal alignment or hardware failure.
• 3
  The surgical procedure allowed for complete removal of bone fragments and disc material extruded into the spinal canal from the fracture-dislocations.