胸腰椎不稳定骨折内固定方法的选择

本文通过从1975年至1993年对获得1年半以上随访的158例胸腰椎不稳定骨折内固定术后病人临床资料的回顾分析,比较了棘突钢板、哈氏棒、椎弓根固定系统的复位和临床效果,认为任何一种器械都有一定的优、缺点,作者认为应根据病情、骨折类型等合理选择,以求获得最佳效果.     

Unstable fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine: the audit of an 8-year series with early reduction using Harrington instrumentation

A series of 112 patients with acute unstable fractures of the thoracic or lumbar spine managed uniformly by early reduction using Harrington's instrumentation was analysed. The level of injury was T6-T11 in 19, T12-L1 in 67 and L2-L5 in 26 patients. On admission, 28 patients had complete paraplegia corresponding to the level of the lesion, 55 had partial lesions and 29 no neural damage. The policy of management comprised reduction by dual distraction rods and simultaneous short posterolateral fusion as an emergency procedure. Anterior decompression of the spinal canal, if required, was performed subsequently. The duration of the postoperative period in bed was 6 weeks. The rods were removed after 9-12 months. The radiographical result and neurological recovery were assessed after an average personal follow-up for 3.1 years. The height of the fractured vertebra was initially well restored, the mean angle of kyphosis being 14 degrees on admission and 5 degrees immediately postoperatively. However, gradually the fractured vertebral body and the intervertebral discs collapsed slightly and at follow-up the mean angle of kyphosis was 12 degrees. On the other hand, the reduction of the initial sagittal displacement of the fractured vertebral body into the spinal canal, could be maintained and a good anatomical end-result was achieved in most cases. The ultimate radiographical results were better after injuries of the thoracic spine and the thoracolumbar junction than after those of the lumbar spine. Improvement of neural function was seen in 28 patients (34 per cent of those with a deficit). Complications of clinical importance occurred in 29 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Preliminary report on the use of MRI in acute spinal trauma

Forty three Magnetic Resonance (MR) studies were performed on 28 patients using a 1.5 Tesla magnet and surface coil. Imaging was performed between day 1 and day 16 after suspected cord injury. In several patients, repeat MR studies were performed to evaluate the resolution of the cord lesions. Three types of MR signal patterns were seen in association with the cord injuries. Patients with intraspinal hemorrhage did not have significant neurological recovery while patients with cord edema/contusion recovered significant neurological function. MR imaging would seem extremely useful in the diagnosis of acute cord injury and also appears to demonstrate the potential for predicting neurological recovery.     

Penetrating gunshot wounds of the cervical spine in civilians. Review of 38 cases.

The authors present a series of 38 civilian patients with cervical gunshot injuries, and compare neurological recovery in patients with complete lesions and patients with incomplete lesions according to whether therapy was surgical or nonsurgical. In patients with incomplete injury, ultimate recovery was a function of the initial injury more than surgical or nonsurgical therapy; nor did patients with complete lesions show significant change in outcome with either mode of therapy. Cord pathology at laminectomy rarely provided a clue about neurological recovery, and fural decompression did not alter neurological outcome. The authors conclude that the sole indication for routine surgical intervention appears to be progressive neurological deficit.     

A method to evaluate the in vivo behaviour of lumbar spine implants

The aim of the study was to design a method for evaluating the stabilizing effect of different lumbar spine implants in vivo, and to apply this method to a comparison of plates versus rods in lumbar spine posterolateral fusion using transpedicular screw fixation. Fourteen patients, seven operated on with transpedicular plates and screws (VSP), and seven operated on with rods and screws (Diapason), matched according to number of levels fused, had tantalum markers inserted in the vertebrae at surgery, enabling roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA). Mean patient age was 45 (range 33–56) years. In each group, two patients underwent fusion between L4 and L5, three between L5 and S1, and two from L4 to S1. In three patients, concomitant nerve root decompression was performed using a facet joint preserving technique. RSA was performed 4 weeks after surgery. This interval was chosen to allow enough time for soft tissue healing, but not fusion healing, to occur. RSA was performed in supine and standing position without any mobility provocation, in line with the postoperative regimen given. Movements between the outermost vertebrae of the fusion were calculated along the transverse, vertical and sagittal axes. The method of measurement along these three axes has previously been determined to be accurate to 0.3, 0.6 and 0.7 mm, respectively. One patient stabilized with rods and screws between L5 and S1 displayed a sagittal translation of 1.01 mm but no mobility along the transverse or vertical axes. In the remaining 13 patients, positional change from supine to standing did not provoke any intervertebral mobility above the RSA accuracy along any of the axes. With the limited provocation described, in line with the postoperative regimen for lumbar fusion patients, plates with transpedicular screws and rods with transpedicular screws both seem to give adequate intervertebral stability in posterolateral lumbar fusions. Received: 15 July 1998 Revised: 4 December 1999 Accepted: 4 February 2000     

Regression trends of neurologic damage in the surgical emergency management of patients with injuries of the cervical vertebrae with spinal cord involvement

Sixty-five patients with cervical spine injuries and varied neurological deficits were treated operatively. Evaluation revealed an improvement in neurological findings dependent upon the promptness of anatomical reduction in patients with incomplete lesions. The more frequent neurological improvement seen with open reduction and internal fixation as compared with closed reduction was not statistically significant but was felt to justify the additional resources required for internal fixation. In complete lesions, there was no evidence that the time of anatomical reduction was related to improvement in neurological findings.     

Management of athletic injuries of the cervical spine and spinal cord

Injuries to the cervical spine among athletes present inherent difficulties, especially in advising for return to contact sports. Experience with the acute care of 63 patients who sustained cervical spine injuries while participating in organized sporting events is analyzed. Forty-five patients had permanent injury to the vertebral column and/or spinal cord, while 18 suffered only transient spinal cord symptoms. Football mishaps accounted for the highest number of injuries, followed by wrestling and gymnastics. Twelve patients had complete spinal cord injury, 14 patients had incomplete spinal cord injury, and 19 patients had injury to the vertebral column alone. The majority of the spinal cord lesions occurred at the C4 and C5 levels, while bony injuries of C4 through C6 predominated. Twenty-five patients required surgical stabilization, and 20 were treated with orthosis only. There was no instance of associated systemic injuries, and hospital complications were few. The mean time of hospitalization was 19.1 days for injured patients and 3.0 days for patients with transient symptoms. A classification was developed to assist in the management of these patients: Type 1 athletic injuries to the cervical spine are those that cause neurological injury; patients with Type 1 injuries are not allowed to participate in contact, competitive sporting events. Type 2 injuries consist of transient neurological deficits without radiological evidence of abnormalities; these injuries usually do not prohibit further participation in contact sports unless they become repetitive. Type 3 injuries are those that cause radiological abnormality alone; these represent a heterogeneous group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Multilevel spinal injuries. Incidence, distribution and neurological patterns

Spinal injury at more than one level is not uncommon. Awareness of multilevel injury of the spine and associated neurological patterns is important for the proper initial management of the patient. This study presents the incidence, pattern of signs and the neurological consequences of multilevel spinal injury. A review of 935 patients with spinal injuries revealed that lesions occurred in multiple levels in 9.7%; in over half of the cases, neurological lesions were incomplete. Multiple level non-contiguous lesions at more than two levels had the worst prognosis with 70% of patients suffering complete paraplegia.     

Open reduction of unstable thoracolumbar spinal injuries and fixation with Harrington rods

The results of treatment of sixteen patients with unstable thoracolumbar spinal injuries are recorded. Early open reduction, stabilization with Harrington rods, spine fusion, application of a plaster jacket until consolidation, and early mobilization was the treatment. Distraction rods were used in twelve patients and compression rods, in four. Nine patients with incomplete paraplegia showed marked neurological recovery, while five with complete paraplegia regained only some sensation. Two patients had no neurological involvement. Solid fusion was achieved in fifteen patients after a minimum of three months of plaster-cast immobilization. In one patient stabilization failed. There was a loss of 5 degrees on average (range, 2 to 23 degrees) in the correction of the kyphosis. Lateral angulation after surgery did not occur. The treatment allowed easier postoperative nursing and early mobilization of the patient.     

Neurological and functional outcome after unstable cervicothoracic junction injury treated by posterior reduction and synthesis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Unstable lesions of the cervicothoracic junction present a severe clinical problem for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. PURPOSE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the neurological and functional outcomes following surgical treatments which combine in all cases posterior reduction and stabilization. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical and radiological study. PATIENT SAMPLES: Between September 1996 and September 2003, 30 patients underwent surgery for unstable fracture at the cervicothoracic junction. This group included 23 patients who sustained a motor vehicle accident, 5 who had fallen from a height, 1 case of ballistic trauma, and 1 person injured by diving in shallow water. There were 22 male and 8 female patients aged between 18 and 80, with an average age of 49. In 18 cases the lesion level was vertebra C7, in 5 cases vertebra T1, in 2 cases vertebra T2, and in 5 cases vertebra T3. Neurologically, on initial clinical examination 16 patients were classified Frankel A, 6 Frankel B, 2 Frankel C, and 6 Frankel D. Surgically, all the patients underwent posterior reduction and synthesis. Posterior stabilization was performed using rods and screws 3 times, plate-screw fixation 25 times, and rods and screws at the thoracic level linked to plate-screw at the cervical level 2 times. Spinal cord compression of more than two levels was associated with 25 cases. In these 25 cases, spinal cord decompression was associated with reduction and stabilization. OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical outcome using neurological scale of Frankel, radiological outcomes using computed tomographic (CT) scans and plain X-ray evaluations. METHODS: Follow-up periods ranged from 11 to 48 months, with an average of 18 months. Seven patients died as a result of cardiopulmonary insufficiency within 4 months postoperative. Twenty-eight CT scans with sagittal and frontal slides were examined to evaluate postoperative reduction and to control screw placement. RESULTS: The observed reductions were satisfactory in 27 cases. In one case, reduction was satisfactory in the sagittal plane but lateral translation persisted in the frontal plane. Two mechanical failures with delayed mobilization of implants occurred. Bony fusion was recorded in all cases on CT scan evaluation. Complete or partial neurological recovery was observed in only 10 of 14 patients. The initial neurological status of these 14 patients was Frankel B, C, or D. CONCLUSION: The surgical procedure was chosen according to the particularity of the anatomical region and the possibility of associated medullar decompression. Insertion of pedicle screws in the upper thoracic portion in T1, T2, and T3 requires a careful technique and knowledge of the posterior projection points of the pedicles and their orientation in space. The high rate of fusion observed in these patients justified posterior reduction and stabilization. The high death rate and the low rate of neurological recovery in this group of patients emphasizes the severe prognosis of unstable injuries of the cervicothoracic junction. Considering the few mechanical failures observed at the last examination, the choice of the posterior approach was appropriate as the one stage procedure. Plate synthesis is preferable in fractures that do not require extension of synthesis beyond T2, whereas screws and rods systems are more appropriate for superior thoracic injuries. Despite early diagnosis and surgical treatment, the presence of neurological or pulmonary lesions resulted in increased mortality of the operated patients.     

The effect of bone loss on rod-like and plate-like trabeculae in the cancellous bone of the mandibular condyle

Bone loss may affect the structure of cancellous bone. But its effect on trabeculae with different characteristics, like rods and plates, is not accurately known. This study analyzes the effect of bone loss on individual rod-like and plate-like trabeculae. 94 specimens were obtained from mandibular condyles from both dentate and edentate humans and scanned with a micro-CT scanner. The bone volume fraction (BV/TV) of these specimens ranged from 7% to 30%. Next, the rod-like and plate-like trabeculae were identified with an especially developed algorithm. Plate volume fraction (PV/TV), rod volume fraction (RV/TV), plate thickness, rod thickness, number of plates, and number of rods were determined. In individual specimens, the thickness of the rods ranged from 40 μm to 180 μm, while the thickness of the plates ranged from 40 μm to 300 μm. In every specimen, the thickness of the plates was larger than the thickness of the rods. Statistical analysis revealed that PV/TV was proportional (r = 0.98, P < 0.001) and RV/TV inversely proportional (r = −0.45, P < 0.001) to BV/TV. Also the thickness of the plates correlated with BV/TV (r = 0.62, P < 0.001), while the thickness of the rods (mean = 90 μm, SD = 7 μm) remained constant (r = −0.09, P = 0.378). A four-fold reduction of the bone volume fraction was accompanied by a three-fold reduction of the number of plates and a 40% reduction of their thickness, but also by a three-fold increase in the number of rods and RV/TV. It was concluded that the effect of bone loss on plate-like trabeculae was opposite to its effect on rod-like trabeculae. Remarkably, the thickness of the rods (90 μm) was independent of the bone volume fraction. This suggests that there is a minimal thickness for trabeculae.     

Tear-drop fractures of the lower cervical spine: classification and analysis of 54 cases

Tear-drop fractures, as described by Schneider and Kahn, are by definition unstable injuries, since both bony and ligamentous elements are involved in such lesions. Fifty-four patients having sustained the above-mentioned injury were treated in our Orthopaedic Department during the last 36 years, representing the 8.1% of all cervical spine injuries. Those patients, 45 men and 9 women, of a mean age of 34.3 years, were injured following a RTA (63%), or a fall from the height (22.2%). Fifty-five percent of those patients suffered spinal cord injury. These injuries were classified in four types (I, II, III, IV) according to the severity of the lesions and were treated accordingly. The whole spectrum of the medical records were analysed and discussed in relation to the available bibliography. Attention was paid to the presence of neurological lesions and the severity of the injury. It was shown that Type I lesions respond satisfactory to conservative treatment, while Types III and IV have an absolute indication for surgical treatment.     

Spinal and spinal cord injuries. Therapeutic approach in Gabon

The authors present their experience with 81 cases (66.4%) of acute cervical spine injuries (C.S.I.) and 41 cases (33.6%) of acute thoracolumbar spine injuries (T.L.S.I.) treated by a multidisciplinary approach, at Jeanne Ebori Hospital (Libreville, Gabon) between the years 1981 and 1987. Traffic accidents were the leading cause of injury. The largest group consisted of patients in their third decade. The anatomic localizations were: upper cervical spine: 22 cases (27%); lower cervical spine: 56 (69%); upper thoracic spine: 11 (26.8%); lower thoracic spine or thoracolumbar area: 19 (46.3%); lumbar spine: 7 (17%). There were osteoligamental lesions in 3 cases (3.7%) of C.S.I. and 4 (9.7%) of T.L.S.I. Clinically, 44 patients (54.3%) with C.S.I. and 37 (90.2%) with T.L.S.I. had neurological deficits. Surgical indications depended upon the osseous as well as neurologic lesions. There were five important steps in the treatment of spinal injuries associated with neurological deficit: (1) immobilization, (2) medical stabilization, (3) spinal alignment (skeletal traction), (4) operative decompression if there was proven cord compression, and (5) spinal stabilization. Twenty patients (24.6%) with cervical injuries were treated conservatively (traction, collar, kinesitherapy); 53 (65.4%) underwent a surgical intervention (anterior approach - 21, posterior fusion - 30, combined approach - 2); and in 8 patients (9.8%) refraining from surgery seemed the best alternative. After lengthy multidisciplinary discussion, the authors elected not to operate on tetraplegic patients with respiratory problems that necessitated assisted ventilation, because of its fatal outcome. Of injuries to the thoracolumbar spine, 13 (31.7%) were treated conservatively (bedrest, orthopedic treatment). Twenty-eight patients (68.2%) with unstable thoracic and lumbar fractures associated with neurologic deficit required acute surgical intervention (stabilization with or without decompression of the neural elements). Laminectomy alone was performed in 5 cases, laminectomy with graft in 2, stabilization by Roy-Camille plates in 16 and by Harrington rods in 5. Most upper thoracic spine fractures were treated conservatively. Surgical intervention was increasingly possible with the availability of more material and qualified staff. There were 17 patients (21%) who died from C.S.I. (15 were tetraplegic), and 6 (14.6%) from T.L.S.I. In general, osteoligamental consolidation was satisfactory. Neurological recovery was observed only in patients with partial deficits. Most cases posed socioeconomic problems.     

Biomechanical bases of dorsal and lumbar spinal osteosynthesis

The authors report the results of their biomechanical experimental study on the fixation of various lesions of the spine, using Roy Camille metal plates, and the results of Fischer -- Gonon (using Harrington rods) and Kempf -- Jaeger (using Kempf rods). They conclude to: the efficiency of the posterior techniques of fixation, the necessity, in the thoraco-lumbar and lumbar segments to associate an anterior graft (fibula), in order to reinforce the late stability, the best functional results achieved by a "short" fixation in association with an anterior graft (double approach technique). According to their experience, the authors advocate for the use of Roy Camille metal plates screwed in the pedicles, the Harrington or Kempf rods helping in the per operative course to gain further reduction, namely in cases of disymetrical displacements.     

Decompression and circumferential stabilization of unstable spinal fractures

A technique of anterior decompression of the spinal canal with anterior strut grafts, followed by posterior instrumentation and local fusion, is described in a group of 18 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures. All patients were found to have greater than 50% encroachment of the spinal canal and a preoperative kyphosis of 21.8 degrees. At follow-up 81% of patients with incomplete neurological lesions improved at least one Frankel Grade. Residual encroachment on the spinal canal was 4.6% and at follow-up the kyphotic angle was 17.1 degrees. Complications included one anterior graft loosening (not requiring revision), three loosened rods, only one of which required revision, and one fractured Harrington rod which did not require revision. The authors conclude that this technique is an effective and safe method for treating unstable thoracolumbar injuries and is recommended if anterior instrumentation is unavailable.     

Complications of halo-pelvic distraction for scoliosis.

A survey has been undertaken of the various complications of halo-pelvic distraction in 118 patients with scoliosis prior to spinal fusion. In the first sixty-two patients the standard solid distraction rods were employed. The neurological complications included ten cases of cranial nerve lesions and two cases of paraplegia, one of them permanent. Springs were then incorporated in the distraction rods so as to allow direct readings of the distraction forces, and a total force of 18 kilograms was not exceeded in the last fifty-six patients. No further serious neurological complications occurred, but the amount of correction achieved in the adolescent and juvenile idiopathic types of scoliosis was reduced.     

The neurological outcome following surgery for spinal fractures

Sixty consecutive patients with spinal injuries and encroachment upon the spinal canal of greater than 20% were assessed for neurological outcome. The patients were divided into two groups, those undergoing posterior surgery alone, and those undergoing anterior surgery for formal decompression with or without anterior or posterior instrumentation. In those patients undergoing posterior surgery, an improvement rate in the neurological function of 83% was noted in patients with incomplete lesions, whereas an 88% improvement rate was found in those undergoing the anterior procedure. There was no statistical difference in outcome between these two groups. Positive correlations were found between the level of injury and Frankel grades. The cord lesions tended to demonstrate more severe neurological deficit, whereas the cauda equina lesions were associated with a lesser severity of neurologic deficit. A component of dislocation to the injury also resulted in a more severe neurological deficit. There was no apparent difference between the degree of bony encroachment of the spinal canal and the initial Frankel grade, nor was there a clear difference between those patients undergoing anterior versus posterior surgery.     

Traumatic spondyloptosis of the thoracolumbar spine

OBJECT: Traumatic Grade V thoracolumbar spondylolisthesis, or traumatic spondyloptosis (severe translation injuries), are uncommon spinal injuries. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this article represents the first reported case series of these unique spinal lesions. METHODS: The authors undertook a retrospective review of a tertiary care regional spinal cord injury patient population treated over a 10-year period (1997-2007). They analyzed data regarding age, sex, mechanism of injury, neurological status, and treatment. RESULTS: Five patients were identified (3 men and 2 women) with ages ranging from 17 to 44 years. All patients had sustained high-energy closed spinal injuries: 3 motor vehicle accidents, 1 injured in a building collapse, and 1 hurt by a fallen steel beam. Four patients, all with sagittal-plane spondyloptosis, had a complete neurological deficit (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] Grade A), and 1, with coronal-plane spondyloptosis, presented with an incomplete neurological deficit (ASIA Grade C). Four patients had sustained concurrent multisystem trauma. All patients underwent surgery: an isolated posterior fusion in 2 and combined posterior-anterior fusion in 3. Only the patient with an incomplete neurological deficit (coronal-plane spondyloptosis) recovered neurological function postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic thoracolumbar junction spondyloptosis is rare. Surgical reconstruction and stabilization allow for early mobilization and rehabilitation. In the present series, a patient with coronal-plane spondyloptosis presented with preserved neurological function. This may be due to the result of differences in resultant neurological compression due to displacement mechanics compared with sagittally displaced injuries.     

中上胸椎骨折脱位的临床特点及手术治疗

目的 总结分析中上胸椎骨折脱位的临床特点及手术治疗的效果。方法 对28例中上胸椎骨折脱位患者的临床资料进行了回顾性分析研究。陈旧骨折12例，新鲜骨折16例。21例合并多发创伤或多发骨折，24例为多节段骨折。根据A0骨折分类：B型12例，C型16例。手术治疗包括后路减压植骨融合加椎弓根内固定13例(新鲜)，前路减压植骨融合加内固定12例(陈旧10例，新鲜2例)，前后联合入路3例(陈旧2例，新鲜1例)。结果 20例获得随访，时间12～48个月，平均32．5个月。其中12例术前Frankel A级者无1例改善，非A级者4例有一级改善，4例无变化，无内固定失败。结论中上胸椎骨折脱位的临床特点为损伤外力强大，脊柱、脊髓损伤严重，多发伤合并率高。对不稳定骨折即使是合并完全性脊髓损伤者，应尽量考虑早期手术减压并稳定脊柱，以利患者的早期康复治疗。     

The effect of implant axial and torsional stiffness on fracture healing

A study was performed to compare the mechanical properties of healing transverse femoral osteotomies fixed with either (a) plates of high or low axial stiffness (compression or slotted plates) but equivalent bending and torsional stiffnesses, or (b) rods of high or low torsional stiffness (solid or slotted rods) but equivalent bending and axial stiffnesses. Compression and slotted plates were implanted contralaterally in one group of adult mongrel dogs and solid or slotted rods were implanted contralaterally in a second group as fixation for transverse osteotomies. We found that the compression-plated femora regained strength and stiffness earlier than the slotted-plated femora and healed with less callus formation. The femora fixed with rods healed with no significant differences in properties at any time interval. Also, the femora fixed with rods had mechanical properties close to those of the slotted-plated femora and lower than those of the compression-plated femora at the same time intervals. We concluded that contact compression caused the differences in the healing results and was more important than differences in torsional or axial rigidity of the implant.