Conservative management of Anderson Type II odontoid fractures in octogenarians: is radiological union what we are searching for?

D. Candura, A. Perna, C. Velluto, L. Proietti, G.G. Mazzella, M.I. Borruto, F.C. Tamburrelli, G. Zirio, M. Genitiempo, D.A. Santagada

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. perna.andrea90@icloud.com

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• Orthopedics

OBJECTIVE: The C2 odontoid fractures represent one of the most common cervical spine injuries. Stabilization and immobility are required for a correct treatment. However, in some cases surgical treatment is recommended. There are still no guidelines for Type II odontoid fractures management. The present study aims at determining how non-union could impact on mortality, functional and clinical outcomes in octogenarian patients conservatively treated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present investigation is a retrospective case series. All patients with diagnosis of Type II odontoid fractures, over 80 years and conservatively treated in our institution between January 2016 to April 2020 were potentially eligible for the study. The primary outcome was the bony fusion of the fracture after 3 months of conservative treatment. The secondary outcomes were clinical, functional outcomes and mortality.

RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were eligible for the study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Computer Tomography (CT) evaluation performed 3 months after trauma showed complete fracture healing in 31 patients (48.4%, Fused), while 33 patients (51.6%) were evaluated as non-fused. Among these, 6 months after the CT evaluation, 14 patients were classified as stable, while 19 were classified as unstable. There were no statistically significant changes in clinical and functional outcomes reported in our patient series between patients with complete radiological healing and patients who reported stable fibrous non-union.

CONCLUSIONS: In a selected group of elderly patients with a high risk for surgery, the conservative treatment of odontoid Type II fractures can be considered a viable management strategy. The achievement of a stable non-union allows for clinical and functional results comparable to complete fracture healing.

Published on: 2022/11/29

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