Cervical Pediatric Spine Trauma Managed With Open Spinal Fixation and Instrumentation and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Cervical spine injuries in the pediatric population are rare. Most injuries to the cervical spinal cord and vertebral column can be managed nonoperatively; however, surgical management may be required in certain clinical scenarios. A posterior surgical approach has been previously preferred; however, the utilization of anterior spinal fixation and instrumentation has been limited. We present a small case series of patients presenting with a traumatic cervical spine injury and detail the feasibility of craniocervical junction (CVJ) and subaxial spinal fixation in the pediatric population. We report four cases involving pediatric patients, all of whom presented with cervical spine injuries necessitating operative intervention using a combination of the anterior and posterior operative approaches. All four patients recovered well, did not require surgical revision, and were neurologically intact at the last follow-up. Therefore, we conclude that spinal arthrodesis is a safe, effective way to manage spinal injuries in the cervical spine following traumatic injury.