POSTERIOR FIXATION OF HANGMAN’S FRACTURES
Objective. To analyze opportunities of short segmental fixation of C2-C3 (C4) vertebrae with direct repositioning of bone fragments using polyaxial screws for traumatic C2 spondylolisthesis. Material and Methods. Short mono- or bisegmental posterior fixation of C2-C3 (C4) vertebrae was performed in 7 patients with hangman’s fracture. Results. Clinical examination in 6 and 12 months after surgery revealed persisting pain in the cervical spine and limitation of rotational motion to the left up to 20° in one patient. Other patients had the same range of rotational motion as before surgery. All patients were able to return to their previous work, including that related with heavy manual labor. Conclusion. Posterior instrumental fixation of C2 transpedicularly and of C3 (C4) into the lateral masses is an effective and reliable reposition-fixation option of hangman’s fracture stabilization. Hir. Pozvonoc. 2014; (4):15-19.