Surgical Management of Traumatic L2-L3 Spondyloptosis

Martin, Sharolyn; Raup, Glenn; Hunter, Stephanie; Cho, Paul

doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2009.01.025

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Volume 89, Issue 4 , Pages 657-676, April 2009

Surgical Management of Traumatic L₂-L₃ Spondyloptosis

Sharolyn Martin, RN, BSN, CEN
- Sharolyn Martin, RN, BSN, CEN, is a research nurse for the Emergency Medicine Department at John Peter Smith Hospital, Ft Worth, TX. Ms Martin has no declared affiliation that could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest in publishing this article.
Glenn Raup, MSN, RN, PhD, NE-BC
- Glenn Raup, MSN, RN, PhD, NE-BC, is an assistant professor for the Harris College of Nursing and Health Science at Texas Christian University, Ft Worth, TX. Dr Raup has no declared affiliation that could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest in publishing this article.
Stephanie Hunter, RN, BSN, CNOR
- Stephanie Hunter, RN, BSN, CNOR, is an RN first assistant in the Neurosurgery Department at John Peter Smith Hospital, Ft Worth, TX. Ms Hunter has no declared affiliation that could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest in publishing this article.
Paul Cho, MD
- Paul Cho, MD, is a neurosurgeon in the Neurosurgery Department at John Peter Smith Hospital, Ft Worth, TX. Dr Cho has no declared affiliation that could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest in publishing this article.

ABSTRACT

Subluxation of a vertebra secondary to an injury (ie, traumatic spondyloptosis) is most commonly seen in the lumbosacral joint. This extremely rare spinal destabilization is caused by congenital defects, degeneration, tumors, infection, or trauma and is accompanied by severe neurologic debilitation.

The patient's neurological function can be preserved when surgical team members have knowledge of spinal injuries, surgical interventions, positioning and its implications, and an awareness of the risks to the patient.

Appropriate interventions can decrease complications, operative revisions, length of stay, morbidity and mortality, and hospital costs. AORN J 89 (April 2009) 657–672. © AORN, Inc, 2009.

Key words: traumatic spine injury , spine surgery , spondyloptosis , spinal subluxation

indicates that continuing education contact hours are available for this activity. Earn the contact hours by reading this article and taking the examination on pages 673–674 and then completing the answer sheet and learner evaluation on pages 675–676. The contact hours for this article expire April 30, 2012.You also may access this article online at http://www.aornjournal.org.The behavioral objectives and examination for this program were prepared by Helen Starbuck Pashley, RN, MA, CNOR, clinical editor, with consultation from Susan Bakewell, RN, MS, BC, director, Center for Perioperative Education. Ms Pashley and Ms Bakewell have no declared affiliations that could be perceived as potential conflicts of interest in publishing this article.This program meets criteria for CNOR and CRNFA recertification, as well as other continuing education requirements.AORN is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.AORN recognizes these activities as continuing education for registered nurses. This recognition does not imply that AORN or the American Nurses Credentialing Center approves or endorses products mentioned in the activity.AORN is provider-approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 13019. Check with your state board of nursing for acceptance of this activity for relicensure.