Spinal Cord Research Help
AboutCategoriesLatest ResearchContact
Subscribe
Spinal Cord Research Help

Making Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research Accessible to Everyone. Simplified summaries of the latest research, designed for patients, caregivers and anybody who's interested.

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Categories
  • Latest Research
  • Disclaimer

Contact

  • Contact Us
© 2025 Spinal Cord Research Help

All rights reserved.

  1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Surgery
  4. Surgical outcome of locked facet in distractive flexion injury of the subaxial cervical spine

Surgical outcome of locked facet in distractive flexion injury of the subaxial cervical spine

Medicine, 2023 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000033028 · Published: June 9, 2023

SurgeryTraumaOrthopedics

Simple Explanation

This study looks at the best surgical way to treat a specific neck injury called a locked facet distractive flexion injury (LF-DFI). This injury happens when the facet joint in the neck is dislocated and stuck, often due to a sudden bending force. The main question is whether to approach the surgery from the front (anterior) or the back (posterior) of the neck. The researchers reviewed the records of 12 male patients who had this type of injury and were treated at their hospital. They divided the patients into two groups depending on whether they had surgery from the front or the back of the neck first. The study found that using a posterior approach, where surgeons remove a small part of the facet joint from the back, might be a safer way to reduce the dislocation and prevent further nerve damage compared to an anterior approach.

Study Duration
November 2006 and April 2021
Participants
12 male patients with locked facet distractive flexion injury
Evidence Level
Not specified

Key Findings

  • 1
    Posterior approach with partial facetectomy is considered a safer surgical technique than an anterior approach in terms of worsening postoperative neurologic status.
  • 2
    Two patients who underwent the anterior approach showed worsened neurologic symptoms postoperatively.
  • 3
    All patients achieved radiological fusion at the final follow-up.

Research Summary

This retrospective study analyzed 12 patients with locked facet distractive flexion injury (LF-DFI) of the subaxial cervical spine to evaluate surgical outcomes based on the initial surgical approach (anterior vs. posterior). The study found that a posterior approach, involving partial facetectomy for LF reduction, may be a safer surgical technique to avoid iatrogenic intraoperative cord injury compared to an anterior approach. All patients achieved radiological fusion at the final follow-up, but two patients who underwent an initial anterior approach experienced worsened neurologic symptoms postoperatively.

Practical Implications

Surgical Approach Choice

Consider a posterior approach with partial facetectomy for locked facet reduction to minimize the risk of intraoperative cord injury.

Risk Mitigation

Be cautious when using an anterior approach involving distraction of vertebral bodies, as it may lead to neurological deterioration.

Preoperative Planning

Evaluate the potential benefits and risks of each approach based on individual patient factors and imaging findings.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Retrospective study design
  • 2
    Small sample size
  • 3
    Single institution study

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Surgery