Perioperative acute neurological deficits in instrumented pediatric cervical spine fusions

Two-Surgeon Multidisciplinary Approach to Pediatric Cervical Spinal Fusion: A Single-Institution Series and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

A collaborative 2-surgeon approach is becoming increasingly popular in surgery but is not widely used for pediatric cervical spine fusions. The goal of this study is to present a large single-institution experience with pediatric cervical spinal fusion using a multidisciplinary 2-surgeon team, including a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic surgeon. This team-based approach has not been previously reported in the pediatric cervical spine literature.

METHODS

A single-institution review of pediatric cervical spine instrumentation and fusion performed by a surgical team composed of neurosurgery and orthopedics during 2002-2020 was performed. Demographics, presenting symptoms and indications, surgical characteristics, and outcomes were recorded. Particular focus was given to describe the primary surgical responsibility of the orthopedic surgeon and the neurosurgeon.

RESULTS

A total of 112 patients (54% male) with an average age of 12.1 (range 2-26) years met the inclusion criteria. The most common indications for surgery were os odontoideum with instability (n=21) and trauma (n=18). Syndromes were present in 44 (39%) cases. Fifty-five (49%) patients presented with preoperative neurological deficits (26 motor, 12 sensory, and 17 combined deficits). At the time of the last clinical follow-up, 44 (80%) of these patients had stabilization or resolution of their neurological deficit. There was 1 new postoperative neural deficit (1%). The average time between surgery and successful radiologic arthrodesis was 13.2±10.6 mo. A total of 15 (13%) patients experienced complications within 90 days of surgery (2 intraoperative, 6 during admission, and 7 after discharge).

CONCLUSIONS

A multidisciplinary 2-surgeon approach to pediatric cervical spine instrumentation and fusion provides a safe treatment option for complex pediatric cervical cases. It is hoped that this study could provide a model for other pediatric spine groups interested in implementing a multi-specialty 2-surgeon team to perform complex pediatric cervical spine fusions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV-case series.

Neurophysiologic monitoring during cervical traction in a pediatric patient with severe cognitive disability and atlantoaxial instability

Background:

Surgical management of atlantoaxial instability (AAI) in pediatric patients with Down syndrome is associated with high neurological morbidity. Moreover, Down syndrome cognitive impairment coupled to AAI removes traditional verbal communication to relay evolving symptoms and aid in neurologic examination. It is not clear whether surgical adjuncts can alter clinical outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Case Description:

Herein, we report the case of a 6-year-old patient with significant developmental delay and severe AAI that was successfully managed by stabilization with guidance of neurophysiologic investigations in the perioperative phase.

Conclusion:

Perioperative neurophysiologic monitoring is safe, useful, and reliable in pediatric patients with trisomy 21 undergoing cervical traction and occipitocervical instrumented fusion for AAI.

Risk factors associated with post-operative neurological deterioration in patients with thoracic disc disorders with myelopathy

PURPOSE

Post-operative neurological deterioration (ND) is a severe complication. However, limited literature exists on the ND in thoracic disc disorders with myelopathy (TDM). This study describes the risk factors of neurological deterioration in TDM with instrumentation and fusion.

METHODS

A single-centre review of TDM with instrumentation and fusion during 2006-2019 was performed. Post-operative neurological deterioration was defined as the deterioration of pre-existing neurological function or the appearance of new neurological symptoms. Patients were then grouped into two groups depending on neurological deterioration (ND group) or not (non-ND group). Demographics, radiographic parameters, and surgical characteristics were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 257 cases were included, and neurological deterioration occurred in 16 (6.23%) cases. Multivariate analysis revealed spinal canal occupancy ratio > 75%, U-shaped compressed spinal cord in axial MRI, calcified herniated disc, anterior approach, and intra-operative blood loss > 1500 mL were associated with ND. Ten patients (62.5%) had complete neurological recovery within six months, and four patients (25%) had progressive neurological function improvement and equal or better than pre-operation within nine months.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of neurological deterioration is 6.23%, and a higher spinal canal occupancy ratio, U-shaped compressed spinal cord, calcified herniated disc, anterior approach, and massive intra-operative blood loss were associated with neurological deterioration. Long-term outcomes of neurological deterioration are favourable, and 62.5% of patients experienced complete neurological recovery within six months. Patients with TMD who undergo surgery should be properly informed of the potential risks of neurological deterioration, despite its usually transient nature in most patients.

Cervical Pediatric Spine Trauma Managed With Open Spinal Fixation and Instrumentation and a Review of the Literature

Cervical spine injuries in the pediatric population are rare. Most injuries to the cervical spinal cord and vertebral column can be managed nonoperatively; however, surgical management may be required in certain clinical scenarios. A posterior surgical approach has been previously preferred; however, the utilization of anterior spinal fixation and instrumentation has been limited. We present a small case series of patients presenting with a traumatic cervical spine injury and detail the feasibility of craniocervical junction (CVJ) and subaxial spinal fixation in the pediatric population.

We report four cases involving pediatric patients, all of whom presented with cervical spine injuries necessitating operative intervention using a combination of the anterior and posterior operative approaches. All four patients recovered well, did not require surgical revision, and were neurologically intact at the last follow-up. 

Therefore, we conclude that spinal arthrodesis is a safe, effective way to manage spinal injuries in the cervical spine following traumatic injury.