Diagnosis and surgical management of Hangman's fracture combined with intervertebral disc injury / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the pathology characteristics and management of Hangman's fracture combined with intervertebral disc injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-one patients suffered from this special injury were converged in this study. All patients underwent anterior C(2 - 3) discectomy and fusion, 18 cases were fixed by anterior cervical plate. The type of fractures, radiology characteristics, and clinical outcomes were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No graft displacement or absorption, infection and neurologic deterioration occurred. All fresh dislocation of axis and C(2 - 3) angulation were corrected. Fusion of C(2 - 3) intervertebral space and pedicle fracture were acquired in all of the patients. After a mean follow-up of 31 months, ranging from 8 to 48 months, nearly all of the complains disappeared after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hangman's fracture is not restricted at pedicle of the axis. Fracture combined with intervertebral disc injury is a special type of Hangman's fracture. Anterior discectomy and fusion of C(2 - 3) intervertebral disc is an effective operation method in accord with the pathophysiology of this special injury.</p>