Catastrophic failure of anterior fusion for bilateral cervical facet dislocation: illustrative case

• DOI: 10.3171/case24563
• Publication Date: 2025-03-03T06:53:52Z
• Authors: Michael B. Lemonick; Alejandro Carrasq...; John K. Houten; Konstantinos Marg...
• Keywords: Facet (psychology); Catastrophic failure

Bilateral facet dislocation results from flexion and distraction forces that tear the posterior ligamentous complex, disrupt joint capsules, can cause fracture of superior articular processes joints, leading to vertebral subluxation potentially serious spinal cord injury. When clinically feasible, typical management is rapid closed reduction followed by fusion, typically means anterior, posterior, or circumferential fixation. However, risk construct failure in event anterior-only fixation not fully understood. Since result recurrent injury, understanding mode guide clinicians selection optimal surgical approach. The authors present a unique case failed anterior-alone fusion for bilateral resulted A subsequent review literature identified specific factors contribute failure. Age, extensive damage fractures endplate, facets, pedicles increase following subaxial cervical dislocations. combined anterior-posterior may be recommended such circumstances. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24563.