Open AccessPosterior screw‐plate system for treating old fracture of the odontoid process
Author(s) -
Li Tingsong,
Xiao Zengming,
He Maolin
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
orthopaedic surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1757-7861
pISSN - 1757-7853
DOI - 10.1111/j.1757-7861.2010.00078.x
Subject(s) - medicine , odontoid process , surgery , internal fixation , bone healing , fixation (population genetics) , blood loss , cervical spine , population , environmental health
Objective: To assess the efficacy of a screw‐plate system for the treatment of old fracture of the odontoid process. Methods: Twenty‐six patients with old fracture of the odontoid process were treated by a posterior screw‐plate system. There were 17 men and 9 women ranging in age from 17 to 58 years (mean, 32.8 years). According to the Anderson‐D'Alonzo classification, 19 patients were classified as type II, and 7 as type III. According to the Frankel classification, there were 3 patients of grade C, 21 of grade D and 2 of grade E. Results: All operations were successfully performed. The operation time was 75–120 min (mean, 90 min) and the intraoperative blood loss 50–200 ml (mean, 125 ml). There were no postoperative complications. All patients were followed up for 24–36 months. At the final follow‐up, one patient had improved from grade C to grade D, two from grade C to grade E, and 15 from grade D to grade E. The other cases had remained stable. There was no breakage of nails or failure of internal fixation during follow‐up. Stable bone union was observed in all cases, the average healing time being 7.8 months. Conclusion: Posterior screw‐plate system is a safe and effective method for treating old fracture of the odontoid process.