STUDY DESIGN: Three case reports of patients with treatment of severe cervical hyperextension. OBJECTIVE: Cervical hyperextension is a rare spine deformity that is associated with myopathies. Previous reports of surgical correction have reported no major operative complications. This report outlines our experience with 3 patients who experienced significant complications. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The limited literature on the treatment of cervical hyperextension has good to excellent outcomes. METHODS: Three case reports are presented. RESULTS: Three cases with severe cervical hyperextension with intraoperative correction had associated morbidity and mortality. One case had a failed intubation requiring tracheotomy. This was followed by a successful posterior release with halo traction for 2 weeks and then an instrumented posterior cervical fusion. This patient died at home 2 weeks after surgery. The second and third cases had an intraoperative spinal cord injury during a posterior release for cervical hyperextension. CONCLUSION: Patients with severe cervical hyperextension have high neurologic perioperative risk.
STUDY DESIGN: Three case reports of patients with treatment of severe cervical hyperextension. OBJECTIVE: Cervical hyperextension is a rare spine deformity that is associated with myopathies. Previous reports of surgical correction have reported no major operative complications. This report outlines our experience with 3 patients who experienced significant complications. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The limited literature on the treatment of cervical hyperextension has good to excellent outcomes. METHODS: Three case reports are presented. RESULTS: Three cases with severe cervical hyperextension with intraoperative correction had associated morbidity and mortality. One case had a failed intubation requiring tracheotomy. This was followed by a successful posterior release with halo traction for 2 weeks and then an instrumented posterior cervical fusion. This patient died at home 2 weeks after surgery. The second and third cases had an intraoperative spinal cord injury during a posterior release for cervical hyperextension. CONCLUSION:Patients with severe cervical hyperextension have high neurologic perioperative risk.