OBJECTIVETo evaluate and analyze a therapeutic principle and strategy to treat the traumatic instability of sub-axial cervical spine as well as the prognosis assessment.

METHODSAccording to the Allen-Fergurson's classification, 83 patients who suffered from the traumatic instability of sub-axial cervical spine were performed operations depending on the patients's general health, the local pathological anatomy and neurological function, including both the decompression and reconstruction maneuvers through anterior, posterior or combined approach.

RESULTSThe average follow-up was 3 years and 9 months. The distraction-flexion and compression-flexion were the most frequent injury subtypes. There were 46, 28 and 9 operations through anterior, posterior or combined approach respectively. No operation through anterior-posterior-anterior approach occurred. The average scores of JOA, VAS and ASIA motor index improved from 11.2, 7.8 and 53.5 before operation, to 15.3, 2.6 and 67.8 at the final follow-up, respectively. After operation, there were different extent improvements of average radiologic parameter. Fusion was achieved in all patients and 12 complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONSAccording to both the patients's general health and the local pathological anatomy, individual therapeutic designing should be determined to treat the traumatic instability of sub-axial cervical spine.