[Fractures of the cervical spine].

A gentle traction is often sufficient to repose unstable lesions of the cervical spine, when a retention by means of conservative methods is not possible. Therefore a ventral, intracorporal fusion with autologous, corticospongious chip material combined with a plate fixation is an adequate solution to obtain a stable, movable blocking of the lower six cervical vertebrae. In case of a completely ruptured dorsal ligamentous apparatus, a ventral bone-chip blocking is generally insufficient. Ventral spondylodesis should be combined with a dorsal traction belt in these cases. Fresh, instable fractures of the odontoid process can be stabilized for exercise by means of two traction screws fastened from the front side. However, the best method to treat a pseudarthrosis of the odontoid process is a fusion performed from the dorsal side.