DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2026.v14i10.003

Pages: 1194-1199

Background: Cervical spine trauma with spondylolisthesis is a devastating injury requiring timely surgical intervention. In resource‑constrained settings, the role of preoperative skull traction and the outcomes of anterior surgery are not well characterised. This study evaluated the outcomes of surgical intervention in cervical spine trauma with spondylolisthesis at a Nigerian tertiary centre. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 107 patients with cervical spine trauma and spondylolisthesis treated at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala, Kano, from January 2019 to June 2025 was conducted. Of these, 87 underwent surgery. Twenty‑one received preoperative skull traction, while 66 did not. All surgical patients underwent anterior approach with discectomy or corpectomy, bone graft, and cervical plating. Outcomes assessed included anatomical reduction, cervical lordosis, neurological recovery (ASIA grade), fusion, complications, and patient satisfaction. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of good outcome. Results: Spondylolisthesis grades were: Grade I (44.9%), Grade II (32.7%), Grade III (11.2%), Grade IV (7.5%), and spondyloptosis (3.7%). The most common level was C5‑C6 (42.1%). Patients who received preoperative traction achieved significantly better anatomical reduction (90.5% vs 68.2%, p<0.001) and greater cervical lordosis correction (14.2° vs 8.6°, p<0.001) compared with those who did not. Neurological improvement (≥1 ASIA grade) occurred in 68.5% of all surgical patients. Independent predictors of good outcome included: preoperative traction (adjusted OR 3.8, 95% CI: 1.7–8.5), incomplete SCI (ASIA B–D) (OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.5–6.8), and time to surgery <7 days (OR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2–5.6). Conclusions: Anterior surgery with bone graft and plating provides favourable outcomes in cervical trauma with spondylolisthesis. Preoperative skull traction significantly improves anatomical reduction and cervical lordosis. Early surgery and incomplete inju