Cirugía temprana versus tardía en fractura luxación de la columna cervical.

We have performed a retrospective study whose objective was to compare neurological change results, days spent in hospital, and complications associated to early surgery (less than three days) or late one (over than 3 days) in patients suffering from acute-traumatic cervical spine lesion. From 1998 to 2001, it was carried out an analysis of the records from patients having been diagnosed cervical fracture or luxation with neurological lesion and fulfilling inclusion requisites. Two groups arose: early surgery n = 13, and late surgery n = 11. In both groups the neurological condition was analyzed at admission and discharge, days in hospital, and associated complications. Both groups were similar in age, sex, and lesion mechanism. There was no significant difference in neurological recovery, days in hospital, and associated complications p > 0.05). Actually, there was a significant difference in regard to intensive therapy period (p < 0.05). We recommend treating these patients in a surgical way seventy-two hours after the lesion, once the patient's general condition is stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]