Delayed surgical management of a traumatic bilateral cervical facet dislocation by an anterior–posterior–anterior approach

Delayed diagnosis (more than one month after injury) of a bilateral cervical facet dislocation is exceptional, and delayed treatment is different from treatment in the acute stage. We describe a neurologically intact 51-year-old patient, in whom the diagnosis of bilateral cervical facet dislocation at C5/6 was made 10 weeks after the trauma. An anterior–posterior–anterior approach was performed, with repositioning during the posterior approach, and with anterior and posterior C5/6 fixation. The patient remained neurologically intact, and radiographic fusion was observed 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Additionally, the (English) literature is reviewed and discussed.