Anterior Cervical Reduction Decompression Fusion With Plating for Management of Traumatic Subaxial Cervical Spine Dislocations

Management of non-contiguous upper and lower cervical spine fractures

PURPOSE

Upper cervical fracture combined with non-contiguous lower cervical fracture are not uncommon but complicated. In order to outline a management principle for the upper cervical fracture combined with non-contiguous lower cervical fracture and assess its clinical characteristics, we retrospectively analyzed 59 cases of patients who underwent surgical treatment for upper cervical fracture combined with non-contiguous lower cervical fracture.

METHODS

59 patients of upper cervical fracture combined with non-contiguous lower cervical fracture were treated by surgery in our hospital. According to the AO Spine classification for cervical fractures, there were 21 cases of type B atlas fractures, nine cases of type C atlas fractures; 15 cases of type B axis fractures, 14 cases of type C axis fractures; 19 cases of type B lower cervical fractures, 40 cases of type C lower cervical fractures. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications, VAS scores, JOA scores, ASIA grades, and radiological evaluation of cervical lordosis and stability were collected and recorded.

RESULTS

Our results showed the segments of upper cervical fracture combined with non-contiguous lower cervical fracture are mainly concentrated in the atlas-axis and C6, C7 levels. There were 43 cases (72.88%) of associated injuries, mainly involving head trauma and thoracic injuries. Four patients underwent anterior approach surgery only, 43 patients underwent posterior approach surgery only, and 12 patients underwent combined anterior and posterior approach surgery in one stage. All patients had regular follow up with an average duration of 67.83 ± 11.25 months (range, 39 to 103 months). The VAS scores and JOA scores at 12 months postoperatively and at final follow-up showed significant improvement compared to preoperative scores (P < 0.05). At the final follow-up, ASIA grades had improved by 0 to 2 levels. The cervical lordosis at the final follow-up (24.71°±7.39°) showed no statistically significant difference compared to preoperative measurements (26.89°±13.32°). Surgical complications occurred in 17 patients. No cases of vertebral artery injury, screw loosening, or other internal fixation failures were found at final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Upper cervical fracture combined with non-contiguous lower cervical fracture can result in varying extents of cervical spinal cord injury and combined trauma in other parts. Surgical treatment of these injuries can achieve favourable clinical and radiological outcomes in the medium to long term follow-up. More research is still needed to optimize clinical decision-making regarding surgical approach.

Anterior Fusion and Long-Term Cervical Mobility in Patients With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: An Observational Study

Objective This study aims to determine and quantify the impairment of cervical mobility and range of motion in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and subsequent cervical subaxial fusion surgery. Methods A total of 89 patients who underwent interbody fusion of the cervical spine and were admitted to the Spinal Cord Injury Center of the BG Klinikum Hamburg, Germany between 2003 and 2018 were examined after their in-facility rehabilitation was successfully completed. Reclination, inclination, tilt, and rotation of the cervical spine were examined and documented in addition to overall patient characteristics and fusion extent. Results We could identify fusion length and age to be independently negatively correlated with the cervical range of motion in different degrees of movement. We could also show a significant decrease in cervical mobility within our patients when compared to healthy adults. The ability to tilt and rotate the cervical spine was particularly impaired. Conclusions Patients with traumatic SCI and intervertebral fusion suffer from significant impairment of mobility in different degrees of movement. This knowledge can be used to evaluate the rehabilitative challenges and reintegrative needs of individuals after traumatic SCI. Rehabilitation should be adjusted accordingly.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of one-level cervical corpectomy with an expandable cage for three-column uncomplicated subaxial type «B» injures: a multicenter retrospective study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of the operative management of three-column uncomplicated type «B» subaxial injures treated with a one-level cervical corpectomy with an expandable cage.

METHODS

This study included 72 patients with a three-column uncomplicated type «B» subaxial injures who met the inclusion criteria, underwent a one-level cervical corpectomy with an expandable cage at one of three neurosurgical departments between 2005 and 2020, and were followed up for clinical and radiological outcomes at a minimum 3-yr follow-up.

RESULTS

There was a decrease in the VAS pain score from an average of 80 mm to 7 mm (p = 0.03); a decrease in the average NDI score from 62 to 14% (p = 0.01); excellent and good outcomes according to Macnab's scale were 93% (n = 67/72). There was an average change in the cervical lordosis (Cobb method) from -9.10 to -15.40 (p = 0.007), without significant loss of lordosis (p = 0.27). There was no significant degeneration of the adjacent levels by 3 years post-op. The fusion rate, using the Cervical Spine Research Society criteria, was poor: it was 62.5% (n = 45/72), and using the CT criteria, it was 65.3% (n = 47/72). 15.4% patients (n = 11/72) suffered complications. Statistical difference between the fusion and pseudoarthrosis (according to X-ray criteria) subgroups showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the smoking status, diabetes, chronic steroid use, cervical injury level, subtypes of AO type B subaxial injuries and types of expandable cage systems.

CONCLUSIONS

One-level cervical corpectomy with an expandable cage, despite a poor fusion rate, can be considered a feasible and relatively safe method for treating three-column uncomplicated subaxial type «B» injures, with the benefit of immediate stability, anatomical reduction, and direct decompression of the spinal cord. While no one in our series had any catastrophic complications, we did note a high complication rate.

Efficacy, Safety, and Reliability of the Single Anterior Approach for Subaxial Cervical Spine Dislocation

Background Though there is ongoing controversy regarding the best treatment option for cervical spine dislocation (CSD), anterior cervical surgery with direct decompression is becoming widely accepted. However, managing all cases of subaxial CSD entirely by a single anterior approach is rarely seen in the published literature. Methods The study comprised patients with subaxial CSD who underwent surgical stabilization utilizing a single anterior approach. Most of the CSD was reduced and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) were performed. Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) were done in unreduced dislocations. The patient's neurological condition, radiological findings, and functional outcomes were assessed. SPSS version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for statistical analysis. Results The total number of operated cases was 64, with an average of 42 months of follow-up. The mean age was 34.50±11.92 years. The most prevalent level of injury was C5/C6 (57.7%). Reduction was achieved in 92.2% of cases; only 7.8% of patients needed corpectomy. The typical operative time was 84.25±9.55 minutes, with an average blood loss of 112.12±25.27 ml. All cases except complete spinal cord injury (CSI) were improved neurologically (87.63%). The mean Neck Disability Index (NDI) was 11.14±11.43, and the pre-operative mean visual analog score (VAS) was finally improved to 2.05±0.98 (P<0.05). In all cases, fusion was achieved. The most common complication was transient dysphagia (23.4%). After surgery, no patient developed or aggravated a neurological impairment. Implant failure was not observed at the final follow-up except for two cases where screws were pulled out partially. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, a single anterior approach is a safe and effective procedure for subaxial CSD treatment with favorable radiological, neurological, and functional outcomes.

Fracture Dislocation at the Level of C6-C7: A Case Report and Literature Review

Fractures of the cervical spine can cause devastating long-term effects on patients. Spinal cord injuries can occur in up to 50% of cases in association with cervical spine fractures. Therefore, it is vital and of utmost importance to recognize cervical spine injuries early on to avoid the exacerbation of an existing injury and its detrimental effects on the patients. We report a case of a C6-C7 fracture dislocation with an associated neurological insult that improved dramatically following fixation and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, patients with this presentation may have long-term neurological insults rather than regain normal function; however, our case notes the importance of prompt intervention and its effect on the outcome.

Surgical treatment was desirable to improve neuromuscular function in patients with sustained 3 years fracture-dislocation of lower cervical spine: A case report

To investigate the changes in neuromuscular function of anterior approach combined with subtotal vertebral body resection and titanium mesh cage (TMC) internal fixation for the old fracture-dislocated lower cervical spine. A 56-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with neck pain and numbness of the left upper extremity for 3 years due to a fall injury from a height, which worsened for 20 days. Although 3 years had passed, the patient still had significant left limb numbness and decreased muscle strength. Eventually, the patient was diagnosed with the old fracture-dislocation type injury of C6 and C7. C6 was II-degree anterior dislocation and the bilateral joint process was locked, C7 was burst fracture, and C5 was spinal cord segment injury. Then, the operation of the anterior approach combined with subtotal vertebral body resection and TMC internal fixation was performed under general anesthesia. Postoperative symptoms were significantly improved. And during five-year of follow-up, no adverse reactions and complications were reported. Although cervical fracture and dislocation combined with cervical spinal cord injury had persisted for many years, surgical treatment was necessary. The anterior approach combined with subtotal vertebral body resection and TMC internal fixation was desirable to improve neuromuscular function for the old fracture-dislocation of the lower cervical spine, which has some guiding effects on the clinical treatment.