Aim:Approximately 12-15% of all cervical spine injuries are unilateral facet joint dislocations, which are unstable injuries. We described a series of 31 cases that were managed surgically in our institution.
Material and Methods:Data from 31 surgically managed cases between October 2014 and July 2019 were retrospectively collected. Using the PubMed database, a systematic literature search was conducted.
Results:Out of 31 patients, 24 (77.4%) were male, and seven (22.6%) were female, with a Male: Female ratio of 3.42:1. The mean age of Injury was 45.81 years (Range 25-67 years). In 20 (64.51%) cases, the mode of injury was a fall, followed by RTA (Road Traffic Accident) with Nine (29.03%) cases. The average duration from trauma to admission in the hospital was 8.13 days (Range 0-63 days), and the average duration of hospital stay was 13.03 days (Range 2-36 days). The most commonly involved vertebral level was C5-C6, with 16(51.6%) cases. In 22 (70.96%) cases, closed reduction was achieved, while in Nine (29.03%) cases, the reduction was achieved by open reduction. Out of 31 cases, 22 (70.96%) cases were managed by the anterior approach only, and seven cases by the combined approach.
Conclusion:Sub-axial cervical spine subluxation with a unilateral locked facet is an unstable injury; it should be managed surgically. For single-level subluxation with a unilateral locked facet, fixation, and fusion from the anterior approach alone are sufficient if the closed reduction is achieved. In case of failed closed reduction, fixation and fusion using the anterior approach alone are sufficient after completing an open reduction from the posterior approach.
