Patient K.A., 1993 y/b., has admitted to Erebuni MC in 12.10.2016 with the fracture of tooth-like process of the 2nd cervical vertebra (type3) with displacement of bone fragments, left-sided paraplegia after the falling from a height.
The patient was admitted with lack of the left hand and leg movements, partial loss of sensitivity in the limbs.
CT-examination diagnosed a fracture of tooth –like process of the 2nd cervical spine at the base with a complete displacement of the bone fragments anteriorly.
Injuries of the cervical spine are always more dangerous than injuries of other parts of the spine, due to the close proximity of vitally important functional centers of the spinal cord, which very often result in death. In most cases such patients remain severely disabled.
For such patients it is very important immediately to fix the cervical spine at the site of injury and then transfer to a medical institution, since each movement of the neck and head can lead to serious complications.
Urgently, after being admitted to hospital, the patient K.A. was imposed stretching the head with simultaneous manual reposition of the frontal dislocation of the 1st vertebra with tooth-like process under X-ray control. So the next day there were partial movements in his left leg.
In 19.10.2016 by Head of the Spine Pathology and Vertebral Surgery Department Dr K.G. Momjyan, MD under the general anesthesia the following surgical intervention was carried out: from the anterior approach through the body of the 2nd cervical vertebra was inserted a special cannulated screw into the repositioned tooth-like process, thus it was fixed in its place and stretching of the head was released. Then the cervical spine was fixed with cervical retainer.
Post-operational period: two days later after the surgery the movements in the left elbow were recovered and on the next day – in the wrist.
Significantly has improved the movements in the left leg. The sensitivity in the limbs was recovered too. Based on positive dynamics in 25.10.2016 the patient was put to stand up on his feet. Rehabilitation treatment is continuing.
The combined surgical intervention in cervical spine multiple fractures with displacement were carried out in Armenia for the first time. Successful outcome prejudged by timely medical assistance to the injured, as well as high standard professionalism of the staff and medical equipment of the MC Erebuni.
