Objective To evaluate the fixation technique of using the cervical lateral mass plate in the cervical posterior approach operation. Methods Eight patients in this group were admitted from September 2001 to November 2006. Among the 8 patients, there were 6 males and 2 females, with their ages ranging from 28 to 78 years. Cervical vertebral fracture with dislocation was found in 4 patients, C2 spinal cord injury in 1, C1 fracture in 1, cervical spinal stenosis in 1, and C2-5 spinal cord neurofibroma in 1. Muscle strength 3-4. TheFrankel grading system was usedin 6 patients with traumatic injury. Before operation, Grade C was observed in 2patients，Grade D in 3，and Grade E in 1. All the operations were performed according to requirements of the Margel’s method. We positioned 40 screws in all the patients, including 4 screws at C2，6 screws at C3，12 screws at C4，4 screws at C5，4 screws at C6，2 screws at C7，and 6 screws at T1. Results The followingup for an average of 14.1 months (range,645 months) revealed that there was no malposition of the screws in the patients. One of the 8 patients developed spinal instability in the fixed segment at 3 months after operation. The headchestbrace was applied to the patient for 3 months, and the spinal fusion was achieved. The further followingup to 45 months indicated that there was no instability occurring. The remaining patients recovered to their spinal stability by the spinal fusion. The patients also recovered in their neurological function after operation. The Frankel assessment showed that 1 patient had Grade E, 3 from Grade D to Grade E, 1 from Grade C to Grade D, and 1 from Grade C to Grade E. Conclusion The cervical lateral mass plate fixation can provide the immediate and b segmental immobilization for the good cervical spine stability.
Objective To evaluate the biomechanical characteristicsof titanium mesh with anterior plate fixation or ilium autograft in anterior cervical decompression.Methods Six fresh cervical spine specimens(C3-7) of young cadaver were used in the biomechanical test. After C5, C5,6 and C4-6 were given vertebrectomy,ilium autograft and titanium mesh with anterior plate fixation were performed. Their stabilities of flexion,bilateral axial rotation,the lateral bending and the extension were tested. Intact cervical spine specimens served as control group. Results Ilium autograft improved the stability of the unstable cervical vertebrae and decreased the flexion, the lateral bending or the extension, showing a significant difference when compared with control group(Plt;0.05). Whereas, axial rotational motion was decreased insignificantly(Pgt;0.05). Titanium meshwith anterior plate fixation improved the stability of the unstable spine and decreased the flexion,the bilateral axial rotation,the lateral bending or the extension, showing a significant difference when compared with control group(Plt;0.05). Conclusion The vertebrectomy and anterior cervical fusion by ilium autograft was the least stable construct of all modes tested,and the titanium mesh implantation is stabler than the intact cervical sample.
Objective To evaluate surgical results of the titanium screwplate internal fixation in treatment of the lower cervical fracture dislocation. Methods From September 2001 to March 2006, 31 patients(24 males, 7 females; age range, 2063 years) with the lower cervical fracturedislocation were treated in our department. The injuries were caused by a road accident in 25 patients, a high crash in 4, and a heavy object crash in 2. The fracture dislocation occurred in the following cervical segments:C3(1 patient),C4(5 patients), C5(12 patients), C6(10 patients), and C7(3 patients). The disease course ranged from 1 to 23 days. The associated spinal nerve root injury occurred in 29 patients. The Frankle scaling revealed that 14 patients were at Grade A, 3 at Grade B, 7 at Grade C, 3 at Grade D, and 2 at Grade E (associated nerve root injury with hand and shoulder numbness). The 29 patients underwentthe spinal cord decompression, the grafting fusion of the small joints, and thelateral mass titanium screwplate internal fixation; 2 patients without nerve injury underwent only the grafting fusion of the small joints and the lateral mass titanium screwplate internal fixation. The bone fusion, cervical vertebra movement, and internal fixation condition were observed by the X-ray examinations postoperatively. The nerve function recovery was evaluated by the Frankle scaling system. Results The followedup in all the patients for 6months to 4 years revealed that the small joint fusion time was 36 months, with an average of 3.6 months. The cervical X-ray films showed that there was no instability or fracture looseness of the internal fixation at 6 months. Among the 29 patients with the spinal nerve root injury, 14 were at Grade A preoperatively but 13 were improved at Grade B and 1 at Grade C postoperatively; 3 were at Grade B preoperatively but 2 were improved at Grade C and 1 at Grade D postoperatively; 7 were at Grade C preoperatively but 3 were improved at Grade D and 4 at Grade E postoperatively; 3 at Grade D preoperatively but all the 3 were improvedat Grade E postoperatively; 2 were at Grade E preoperatively and remained unchanged postoperatively. In the 2 patients with only the nerve root injury, numbness disappeared soon after operation. Conclusion This posteriorapproach has two advantages: the mobility range of the cervical vertebra can preserved to the greatest extent because of the short segment fixation; the betterstability can obtained because of the titanium screwplate internal fixation on the cervical jointcolumn to prevent the hyperextension and hyperflexion. Therefore, the titanium screwplate internal fixation on the cervical lateral massis an effective treatment of the lower cervical fracture dislocation.
Objective To explore if the modified unilaterally-open expansive laminoplasty using bridge grafting and reconstructing posterior ligamentous complex methods is effective in preventing persisting axial symptoms, restriction of neck motion, and loss of cervical curvature. Methods From June 2000 to October 2005, 138 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent this procedure. Of them, 78 who were followed for more than 2 years (group A) were included in this study. Another 69 patients who underwent conventional unilaterally opendoor laminoplasty served as controls(groupB). The JOA scores and the incidence of newly developed or deteriorated axial symptoms were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative ranges of neck motion were measured on lateral flexion and extension radiographs. Preoperative and postoperative cervical curvature indices were calculated according to Ishihara’s method. Results The patients of group A were followed 24-44 months (mean 33 months), and the patients of group B were followed 2453 months(mean 35 months). The operative time was 114±20 min in group A and 70±25 min in group B,showing statistically significant difference(P＜0.05). The operative blood loss was 280±72 ml in group A and 210±80 ml in group B(P＞0.05). Accordingto JOA scoring, the average recovery rates were 67.0%±17.3% in group A and 65.0%±21.4% in group B(P＞0.05). Postoperative development or deterioration of axial symptoms occurred in 12% of patients in group A and 51% of patients in group B, showing statistically significant difference(P＜0.05). Postoperative range of neck motion was 88.0%±10.1% of the preoperative one in group A and 64.0%±16.3% in group B(P＜0.05). There was no significant difference between preoperative(15.3±8.2) and postoperative(13.5±9.3) cervical curvature index in group A, whereas the mean value of postoperative index (11.1±5.7) was significantly smaller than that of preoperative one (17.2±13.5) in group B (Plt;0.05). Conclusion This new procedure was less invasive to the posterior extensor mechanism than the conventional unilaterally-open laminoplasty and was effective in preventing postoperative morbidities.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the mid-term clinical and radiological results of dynamic cervical implant (DCI) arthroplasty for degenerative cervical disc disease in Chinese population.MethodsBetween April 2010 and June 2011, 25 patients with single-segmental degenerative cervical disc disease underwent DCI replacement. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaires (SF-36) were used for evaluation of neurological function and pain severity, before and after operation, and during follow-up period. Radiographic evaluation included range of motion (ROM) of C2–7, surgical segments and adjacent level, intervertebral height of the surgical segments, migration, subsidence of the implant and heterotopic ossification (HO).ResultsThe mean follow-up period was 72.3 months (ranged from 68 to 78 months). The VAS, JOA, NDI, and SF-36 mental and physical component summaries improved significantly after surgery (P<0.05) and remained stable over the whole observation period. The ROM (flexion/extension) and intervertebral height at the level treated with DCI remained at the first 2 years and partly reduced at the final follow-up. ROM for C2–7 and adjacent levels maintained during the follow-up period. DCI subsidence was observed in 11 segements, and 9 segements appeared heterotopic ossification.ConclusionsClinical efficacy of DCI arthroplasty improves and maintaines during the mid-to-long period of follow-up. HO formation is a common phenomenon, leading a dramatic decrease of ROM at index level and recurrence of neurological symptoms. Rate of implant subsidence and migration is relatively high, leaving a potential risk of symptom at index level and adjacent segment degeneration. It suggests that for patients with degenerative cervical disc disease, total disc replacement or anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is still the first choice instead of DCI arthroplasty.
Objective To investigate the feasibil ity, safety and operative techniques of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in treating osteolytic bone metastasis of cervical vertebra and reconstructing the function of cervical vertebra. Methods From March 2005 to December 2007, 10 patients with osteolytic bone metastatic carcinoma in single cervical vertebral body received PVP, including 5 males and 5 females aged 38-75 years (mean 54.5 years). Among them, 5 patients had primary lung tumor, 1 primary renal tumor, 1 primary breast tumor, 1 primary cervical tumor and 2 unknown primary lesion. The course of disease was 2-4 years. All the patients suffered from obviously cervical pain and l imitation of activity, including 4 cases of metastatic tumor of the C2 vertebral body, 2 of C3, 2 of C6 and 2 of C7. The general condition of patients was stable before operation, and no blood coagulation dysfunction, radiculalgia and spinal cord compression were detected. Lateral PVP was performed on 6 cases, approaching between the vertebral artery and the carotid sheath under CT guidance and anterolateral PVP was performed on the rest 4 cases, approaching between the trachea and the internal carotid artery under continuously X-ray fluoroscopy. The amount of bone cement injected was 3-4 mL, and the fill ing rate was 50%-100%. Results Without obvious bleeding or organ injury, the puncture was performed successfully on all the patients. Without symptom of spinal cord compression, patients suffered from pain during operation (1 case) and such compl ications noted by immediate CT or X-rays examination after operation as paravertebral epidural cement leakage (2 ases),transverse foramen cement leakage (1 case) and pinhole reflux (3 cases). The pain of patients was improved to various degree postoperatively, the visual analogue scales score was (5.9 ± 1.2) points before operation, which was changed to (2.6 ± 1.2) points at 1 hour after PVP and (1.6 ± 1.3) points at 1 week after PVP, indicating there was a significant difference between pre- and postoperation (P lt; 0.05). During the regular follow-up at 1 week, 3 and 12 months after PVP, all patients had no dislocation of cervical vertebra body, spinal cord compression and paralysis. Five patients died from multiple organ failure due to primary tumor progression, including 3 cases at 6 months after PVP and 2 at 12 months after PVP, and the rest 5 patients’ cervical pain were under control, with sound functional recovery. Conclusion PVP can rel ieve pain quickly and reinforce the stabil ity of the vertebral body, and has sl ight compl ications; the lateral approach is safe and effective.
Objective To explore the feasibilities, methods, outcomes and indications of atlas pedicle screw system fixation and fusion for the treatment of upper cervical diseases. Methods From October 2004 to January 2006, 17 patients with upper cervical diseases were treated with atlas pedicle screw system fixation and fusion. There were 13 males and 4 females, ageing 19 to 52 years. Of 17 cases, there were 14 cases of atlantoaxial dislocation(including 3 cases of congenital odontoid disconnection，4 cases of old odontoid fracture，2 cases of new odontoid fracture(typeⅡC), 3 cases of rupture of the transverse ligament, and 2 cases of atlas fracture； 2 cases of tumor of C2; 1case of giant neurilemoma of C2,3 with instability after the resection oftumors. JOA score before operation was 8.3±3.0. Results The mean operative time and bleeding amount were 2.7 hours (2.1-3.4 hours) and 490 ml (300-750 ml) respectively. No injuries to the vertebral artery and spinal cord were observed. The medial-superior cortex of lateral mass was penetrated by 1 C1 screw approximately 3 mmwithout affecting occipito-atlantal motions. All patients were followed up 3-18 months. The clinical symptoms were improved in some extents and the screws were verified to be in a proper position, no breakage or loosening of screw and rob occurred. All patients achieved a solid bone fusion after 3-6 months. JOA score 3 months after operation was14.6±2.2. JOA improvement rates were 73%-91%(mean 82%). Conclusion The atlas pedicle screw system fixation and fusion is feasible for the treatment of upper cervical diseases and has betteroutcomes, wider indications if conducted properly.
Objective To compare the loss of anterior column heightand cervical Cobb angle with three different types of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF). Methods A prospective randomized study was performed on 60 patients who had undergone ACDF with the autologous iliac crest graft (group A, n=20), the autogenous bone and the anterior cervical locking plates (group B, n=20), and Syncage-C filled with the local autograft reamings (group C, n=20) from January 1998 to January 2003. The patients diagnosed as having cervical radiculopathy (RP) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) were indicated for ACDF. Of the patients, 41 were male and 19 female with a mean age of 57 years (range, 36-68) and their average course of disease was 6.2 months (range, 1-36). There were 36 one-level and 24 two-level fusions from C3,4 to C7,T1. Radiological measurements were performed on the cervical radiographs taken before operation, 7 days and 3 months after operation, and on the last day of the follow-up; then, the height and Cobb angle of the fused segment, functional restoration, and clinical outcome were evaluated in the three groups. Results The followup of more than 2 years (range,2-7) showed that the average loss of anterior column height and Cobb angle of the fused segments in groups A and B, which had not preserved the-endplate, hada greater increase than that in group C, which had preserved the endplate. Of the patients, 12 had autograft collapse, 3 autograft displacement, and 10 postural abnormality between the fused segments, most of which happened in groups A andB. The fusion rate was 93.3% (56 cases) according the strict arthrodesis critera; their excellent and good rate in the functional assessment was 83.3% (RP 90.4%, CSM 79.5%); the overall satisfactory (excellent and good) rates in groups A,B and C were 75%, 85% and 90%, respectively. Conclusion To increase the resistance to graft subsidence, which is a major reason for narrowness of the fused segments, and to maintain normal cervical curvature, we should improve our skills of bone grafting performance, preserve the endplate, carefully evaluate the degree of osteoporosis before operation, and use anterior cervical locking plate and /or fusion with Syncage-C when necessary.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the value of anterior operation in fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae. METHODS: From 1997, 21 patients with fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebra and thoracic vertebrae were operated on. The interval between injury and operation was within 24 hours in 4 cases, 2-7 days in 9 cases, 8-14 days in 3 cases and within 4 weeks in 5 cases. The locations were C6,7 in 7 cases, C7 in 9 cases and T1 in 5 cases. The nerves function of spinal of all the cases have different degrees of injury. Classification of Frankel were the following: 3 cases of grade A, 6 cases of grade B, 9 cases of grade C, and 3 cases of grade D. The operative procedure included the following: anterior operation of cervical vertebrae; incision of most fracture vertebral body to decompress; transplantation of ilium bone grafting fusion; and internal fixation of anterior cervical vertebrae with locking-steel. RESULTS: In 21 patients, 1 died of accompanying by pulmonary infection; 20 were followed up 8 months to 3 years with an average of 21 months. All transplanted ilium had fused. The nerve function of spinal cord had recovered in different degrees(2 cases of grade A, 1 case of grade C, 9 cases of grade D and 8 cases of grade E); the turn of vertebral column was normal. No internal fixation failed. CONCLUSION: Anterior operation is a better way to treat fracture-dislocation of connect of cervical vertebrae and thoracic vertebrae with easy operation, less complications, satisfactory reduction of fracture and good stability.