Management of subaxial cervical spine trauma: Clinical results of early surgical decompression

Abstract

Traumatic injuries of the subaxial cervical spine (C3-7); considered among the most common and most damaging injuries to the axial skeleton. Decompression of the spine is standard approach after cervical spinal cord injury.In this study, 72 patients who underwent early decompression with the decision of surgery according to the classification system with the Subaxial Injury Classification and Severity Scale (SLICS) among 212 patients who developed spine fractures as a result of acute traumatic subaxial cervical trauma were examined.ASIA scoring system was used for neurological examination evaluation.Patients were included in the rehabilitation program, which lasted at least six months after the operation.Neurological recovery results were evaluated with ASIA scores obtained after the rehabilitation program.It has been shown that early surgery for subaxial cervical spine fractures contributes significantly to the patient's neurological recovery.