Floating Spine and Other Types of Associated Multiple Simultaneous Unstable Spinal Fractures

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Guillermo Alejandro Ricciardi
Lyanne Julieth Romero Valverde
Santiago Formaggin
Ignacio Garfinkel
Gabriel Carrioli
Daniel Oscar Ricciardi

Abstract

Introduction: We intend to present a series of patients with associated multiple and simultaneous unstable spinal fractures (Type B or C).
Materials and Methods: A descriptive analysis of patients with high-energy spinal cord injuries and associated multiple unstable and simultaneous spinal fractures from January 2015 to January 2021 was conducted. Patients with type B (ligament injury) and/or type C (subluxation/dislocation) multiple spinal fractures were included. Patients with incomplete medical records, osteoporotic or pathological fractures, or fewer than 3 months of follow-up were excluded.
Results: We included 5 patients (1 woman and 4 men) with two simultaneous unstable spinal fractures, including 4 cases (80%) of non-contiguous fractures and 3 (60%) with two simultaneous non-contiguous fracture dislocations (“floating spine”); 2 (40%) cases had a type B fracture associated with a type C fracture. The median age was 35 years. High-energy trauma with associated injuries occurred in all cases. All patientswere surgically treated with a conventional posterior approach, reduction, and long arthrodesis. In two patients, neurological recovery was confirmed.
Conclusion: A case series of multiple simultaneous unstable spinal fractures (type B or C) caused by high-energy trauma is presented. This is a rare injury association with significant morbidity associated with spinal, systemic, and neurological trauma.

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How to Cite
Ricciardi, G. A., Romero Valverde, L. J., Formaggin, S., Garfinkel, I., Carrioli, G., & Ricciardi, D. O. (2023). Floating Spine and Other Types of Associated Multiple Simultaneous Unstable Spinal Fractures. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 88(3), 321-330. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2023.88.3.1652
Section
Clinical Research
Author Biographies

Guillermo Alejandro Ricciardi, Spine Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio Güemes, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spine Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio Güemes, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Lyanne Julieth Romero Valverde, Spine Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio Güemes, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spine Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio Güemes, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Santiago Formaggin, Spine Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio Güemes, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spine Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio Güemes, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ignacio Garfinkel, Spine Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio Güemes, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spine Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio Güemes, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Gabriel Carrioli, Spine Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio Güemes, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spine Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Sanatorio Güemes, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Daniel Oscar Ricciardi, Spine Team, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spine Team, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

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