Researchers analyzed 35 patients with unstable Hangman’s fracture who were treated using C2-C3 posterior short-segment fixation and fusion. Surgeons used short-segment pedicle screw fixation in 26 cases and both C2 pedicle screw and C3 lateral mass screw short-segment fixation and fusion in nine cases.
All patients were observed for an average of 44 months and no screw loosening, breakage or injury to the spinal cord or vertebral artery was reported. CT scans showed nine of the 140 total screws were placed too close to the vertebral artery canal in C2, and 12 screws were too close to the canal in C3. There weren’t any clinical consequences of the screw placement.
Static and dynamic films showed fusion in all cases six months after surgery and no graft or platelet-related complications were found during the entire follow-up period.
Read the abstract on surgery for unstable Hangman’s fracture.
Read other coverage on spine surgery studies:
– Study: Spine Surgery Better for Diabetic Patients With Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
– Dr. Trang H. Nguyen Leads Study: Spinal Fusions Have Poor Outcomes for Workers’ Compensation Patients
– Study: Anti-Inflamotory Use During Spinal Fusions
