Clinical Analysis of Axis Fracture

ABSTRACT

This retrospective analysis describes the clinical characteristics, treatment, and long-term outcome of 30 patients with axis fracture admitted to our institution between January 1991 and December 1995. The incidence of axis fracture was 27.2% in the 110 cervical spine fractures. Among these, odontoid process fracture was the most common type, 19 cases(63%) followed by 8 hangmans fractures(27%), 3 miscellaneous fractures(10%). Hangman's fractures, odontoid type III fractures and miscellaneous fractures were treated with external immobilization devices. Remaining 11 odontoid type II fractures, and six patients with dens dislocation of 6 mm or greater were initially treated by early surgical stabilization. Individuals with dens dislocated less than 6 mm were treated by external immobilization only. Among the nonoperative group of acute axis fractures, there was no fusion failure. In the early operated group, all patients were stable clinically or radiologically. But three patients with posterior wiring and bone graft complained of their neck motion limitation.