Management of C2-C3 fracture subluxation by anterior cervical approach and C2-C3 trans-cortical screw placement

Abstract

Cervical spine injuries are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in trauma victims. Upper cervical spine injuries account for about 24% of acute fractures and dislocations and one third of fractures occur at the level of C2, while one half of injuries occur at the C6 or C7 levels. In contrast to this approach we used the transverse cervical, platysma splitting incision at a lower (C3-C4 disc) to expose the upper cervical spine particularly lower border of C3 (entry point for the screw).