Anterior versus posterior surgical treatment for traumatic cervical spine dislocation

Abstract

The treatment of cervical spine dislocation is still not without debate concerning anterior decompression and fusion versus posterior reduction and fusion. In cases of patients who are nonreducible by closed traction, imaging can help determine surgical approach based on degree of anterior compression by disc or bone. In patients who have undergone closed reduction, the surgical approach may be performed by either anterior or posterior methods without significant differences in pain, kyphosis, or neurologic outcomes.