BACKGROUND: This study aimed to treat patients with subaxial cervical facet dislocations with incomplete or without neurological deficit by a prospectively designed surgical protocol and observe the short-term clinical outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive subaxial cervical dislocation patients with incomplete or without neurological deficit were enrolled. The surgical strategy was determined based on whether or not the initial anterior closed reduction was successful and whether or not the patients were simultaneously combined with traumatic disc herniation (TDH). Postoperative radiographs were used to assess the reduction and fusion, and kyphosis and lordosis of cervical spines were calculated. The neck pain was assessed by visual analog scale. Body function and neurologic status was evaluated according to the Neck Disability Index and classification of American Spinal Injury Association. Clinical and radiologic outcomes were compared before and after the surgery and during the follow-up. The average follow-up period was 23 months.

RESULTS: Five patients with TDH and 17 with non-TDH were successfully treated by a single anterior approach, 22 non-TDH patients by a posterior-anterior approach, and another eight TDH patients by an anterior-posterior-anterior approach. No neurologic deterioration or other severe adverse events occurred postoperatively. The kyphosis angle of the dislocated levels was well restored after surgery, and the neck pain was significantly relieved as well. The neurologic status was obviously improved, and bony fusion was obtained in all patients within one-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Our prospectively designed surgical strategy is effective for the treatment of patients with subaxial cervical dislocation with incomplete or without neurological deficit.

Keywords: Anesthesia, Spinal, Orthopedics, Spine