(2025) Cirillo, Ignacio; Blanco, Sebastián; Cabello, Sebastián; Ricciardi, Guillermo; Guiroy, Alfredo; Yurac, Ratko; on behalf AO Spine Latin America Trauma Study Group
Teardrop fractures of the cervical spine are characterized by a triangular-shaped fragment located in the anteroinferior corner of the vertebral body. Flexion-type teardrop fractures are highly unstable injuries resulting from a flexion-compression mechanism. A notable feature of these injuries is retrolisthesis of the vertebral body, which is often associated with a high risk of neurological compromise. The anterior approach is the most commonly used surgical treatment for flexion-type teardrop fractures. In contrast, extension-type teardrop fractures primarily affect the axis vertebral body and are generally stable injuries that can be treated nonoperatively.
