Repair of cervical esophageal perforation using longus colli muscle flap: a case report of a patient with cervical spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Perforation of the esophagus after anterior cervical spine surgery is a rare, but well-recognized complication. The management of esophageal perforation is controversial, and either nonoperative or operative treatment can be selected. PURPOSE: Several reports have described the use of a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap for esophageal repair. In this case report, we describe a longus colli muscle flap as a substitute for a sternocleidomastoid flap in a patient with an esophageal perforation. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. PATIENT SAMPLE: A 20-year-old man sustained cervical spinal cord injury, on diving and hitting his head against the bottom of a pool. A C6 burst fracture was observed with posterior displacement of a bone fragment into the spinal canal. The patient exhibited complete paralysis below the C8 spinal segment level. METHODS: The patient underwent subtotal corpectomy of the sixth cervical vertebra with the iliac bone graft and augmented posterior spinal fixation (C5-7) with pedicle screws. After the primary operation, the patient showed signs of infection such as throat pain, a high fever, and osteolytic change of the grafted bone by cervical radiograph. A second operation was performed to replace the graft bone using fibula. On the day after the operation, food residue was confirmed in the suction drainage tube, suggesting esophagus perforation. A third operation was immediately performed to confirm and treat esophagus perforation, although apparent esophageal perforation could not be detected at the second operation. Because the erosion around the perforation of the esophageal posterior wall was extensive, a longus colli muscle flap transposition was accordingly performed into the interspace between the esophageal posterior wall and the grafted bone in addition to simple suturing of the perforation. RESULTS: Neither high fever nor pharyngeal pain has recurred at latest follow-up, 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report concerning the use of a longus colli muscle flap for esophageal perforation after anterior cervical spine surgery.     

颈椎前路内固定术后中远期食管并发症

 目的 探讨颈椎前路内固定术后中远期食管并发症的发生率及其诊疗策略。方法 对2001年1月至2011年12月2316例行颈椎前路内固定手术患者发生的中远期食管并发症情况进行回顾性分析。食管中远期并发症包括术后2周以上发生的食管穿孔、食管气管瘘、食管皮下瘘、食管憩室、食管胸膜瘘及食管狭窄等。结果 共4例患者发生中远期食管并发症,发生率为0.17%(４/２３1６),其中食管穿孔发生率为0.09%(2例)。病例1为31岁男性患者,自体髂骨移植融合加钢板内固定(C5)术后7年发现食管憩室合并食管穿孔。手术取出内固定,清创后切除憩室,胸骨舌骨肌及肩胛舌骨肌肌瓣修补食管。病例2为46岁男性患者,自体髂骨移植融合加钢板内固定(C5)术后3年发现食管憩室。手术取出内固定,切除食管憩室,胸骨舌骨肌及肩胛舌骨肌肌瓣修补食管。病例3为58岁女性患者,自体髂骨移植融合加钢板内固定(C6)术后5年出现食管憩室。手术取出内固定,切除食管憩室,胸锁乳突肌肌瓣修补食管。病例4为56岁女性患者,钛网植骨融合加钢板内固定(C6)术后3年出现食管穿孔。手术取出内固定,清创后胸锁乳突肌肌瓣修补食管。4例患者术后食管并发症均获得成功治疗,恢复良好。结论 颈椎前路内固定术后中远期食管并发症的发生率较低,X线片、消化道造影及消化道内镜检查是主要的诊断方法,手术是其主要的治疗手段。     

Pharyngocutaneous fistula after anterior cervical spine surgery

Pharyngocutaneous fistulae are rare complications of anterior spine surgery occurring in less than 0.1% of all anterior surgery cases. We report a case of a 19 year old female who sustained a C6 burst fracture with complete quadriplegia. She was treated urgently with a C6 corpectomy with anterior cage and plating followed by posterior cervical stabilization at another institution. Post operatively she developed a pharyngocutaneous fistula that failed to heal despite several attempts of closure and esophageal exclusion with a Jpeg tube. The patient was eventually successfully treated with a three-stage procedure consisting of firstly a posterior approach to reinforce the posterior stabilization of the cervical spine that was felt to be inadequate, secondly an anterior approach with removal of all the anterior instrumentation followed by iliac crest bone graft and thirdly a superior based sternocleidomastoid flap that was interposed between the esophagus and the anterior cervical spine. The patient's fistula healed successfully. However, yet asymptomatic, the anterior iliac crest bone graft resorbed almost completely at 16 months follow up. In light of this complication, we discuss the surgical options for the treatment of pharyngocutaneous fistulae and the closure of this fistula using a superiorly based sternocleidomastoid muscle flap.     

Successful surgical management of a delayed pharyngo-esophageal perforation after anterior cervical spine plating

A case report of a 41-year-old man who had a delayed pharyngo-esophageal perforation without instrumentation failure 7 years after anterior cervical spine plating is presented and the literature on this issue is reviewed. This injury resulted from repetitive friction/traction between the retropharyngo-esophageal wall and the cervical plate construct leading to a pseudodiverticulum and perforation. Successful treatment of the perforation was obtained after surgical repair using a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap. This case stresses the necessity of careful long-term follow-up in patients with anterior cervical spine plating for early detection of possible perforation and the use of muscle flap as the treatment of choice during surgical repair.

     

Delayed esophageal injury without instrumentation failure: complication of anterior cervical instrumentation

The authors describe a case of a 67-year-old man who presented with a delayed esophageal perforation 4 years after anterior cervical spine surgery for spondylotic myelopathy. Diagnosis was made with esophagoscopic visualization of the lesion and repair performed with hardware removal and esophageal closure utilizing a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap. The pertinent literature is reviewed and the therapeutic implications discussed.     

Esophagocutaneous fistula after anterior cervical spine surgery and successful treatment using a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap. A case report

An esophagocutaneous fistula following anterior cervical fusion is rare. A 61-year-old man had cervical myelopathy because of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine. Anterior decompression of the cervical spine and anterior fusion with strut bone grafting were performed. A second anterior fusion was done because the graft was dislodged after the patient fell out of bed one month after surgery. An esophagocutaneous fistula occurred three months after the second anterior surgery. One of the causes of this esophagocutaneous fistula was considered to be a pressure necrosis of the esophagus because of to projection of the bone graft. Conservative treatment, which consisted of wound drainage and intravenous administration of antibiotics, was tried but was unsuccessful. A good result was achieved by cancellous bone grafting, closure of the esophageal fistula, and transposition of a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap to the interspace between the esophagus and the cervical spine.     

Minimally invasive approaches to the cervical spine

Minimally invasive approaches and operative techniques are becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of cervical spine disorders. Minimally invasive spine surgery attempts to decrease iatrogenic muscle injury, decrease pain, and speed postoperative recovery with the use of smaller incisions and specialized instruments. This article explains in detail minimally invasive approaches to the posterior spine, the techniques for posterior cervical foraminotomy and arthrodesis via lateral mass screw placement, and anterior cervical foraminotomy. Complications are also discussed. Additionally, illustrated cases are presented detailing the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques.     

颈阔肌肌皮瓣五瓣Z成形术矫治重度肌性斜颈

目的介绍一种安全、实用的重度肌性斜颈修复术。方法以蹼状挛缩突出的胸锁乳突肌为轴，两端分别为胸锁乳突肌的乳突起点和下端锁骨头点，设计3瓣在内下、2瓣在外上的五瓣，每瓣臂跃大致为轴长的一半。局部麻醉下切开皮瓣至颈阔肌下层，直视下锐性分离各肌皮瓣，慎勿使颈阔肌与皮肤脱离，松解蹼状皮肤，即可见已经变细且纤维化的胸锁乳突肌及挛缩的颈鞘、颈浅静脉。于肌肉中点完全切断胸锁乳突肌，两断端回缩，切断并结扎颈浅静脉，松解挛缩的颈鞘，显露出短缩的颈动脉、神经，将头尽量摆正，在注意保护动脉、神经的前提下，松解其周围牵拉的筋膜组织，止血后将肌皮瓣对位缝合覆盖外露的动脉、神经、肌肉组织，放置橡皮引流条包扎固定。结果5例中有1例达到良，4例为中度。皮瓣均成活，效果满意。瘢痕不明显。结论采用颈阔肌肌皮瓣五瓣Z成形术，可良好地纠正同侧肌性斜颈畸形，用颈阔肌覆盖外露的神经、血管，就地取材，既能防止术后肌皮瓣区粘连、局部凹陷畸形，又能确保皮瓣的血供。     

颈椎前路手术并发食管瘘的原因及处理

 目的 探讨颈椎前路手术并发食管瘘的原因及处理对策。方法 回顾性分析2004年1月至2011年12月采用颈椎前路手术治疗2348例颈椎疾患患者资料,其中5例发生食管瘘,男3例,女2例;年龄14~48岁,平均34岁;颈椎外伤3例,颈椎病1例,颈椎结核1例。1例患者术中发现食管瘘,给予修补;另4例均为术后发现,行清创探查引流术,其中1例探查时发现食管瘘口遂给予修补,1例仅行清创探查术,1例清创探查术后二期行内固定取出术,1例清创探查术后二期行内固定取出及肌瓣填塞术。给予禁食、营养支持、伤口引流及抗生素治疗;定期吞服亚甲蓝,观察漏口情况。结果 经过9～61周治疗,所有患者食管瘘口愈合,恢复进食。随访6～48个月,无一例发生食管瘘复发、颈椎失稳及迟发感染;吞咽功能均良好;患者原有颈部疾患治疗效果均满意,颈椎外伤患者Frankel分级平均提高1级,颈椎病患者JOA评分由术前9分提高至术后15分。结论 采用食管瘘口修补、肌瓣填塞以及引流手术,并严格禁食禁水、营养支持,必要时取出内固定物,多数颈椎前路手术并发食管瘘的患者能获得满意的疗效。术中仔细轻柔操作是预防食管瘘发生的关键。     

Infrahyoid muscle flap for pharyngeal fistulae after cervical spine surgery: a novel approach—Report of six cases

A report of our experiences involving the treatment six male patients with a new method of closing perforations in the pharynx and upper esophagus, following surgery of the cervical spine region. Perforation of the pharynx and upper esophagus are rare complications following cervical spine surgery. The grave consequences of these complications necessitate in most cases immediate surgical therapy. In most cases, the first step involves the removal of the cervical plate and screws. The defect was then closed using a vascular pedicled musculofascia flap derived from the infrahyoid musculature. In all cases, the flap healed into place without complications. The patients began taking oral nutrients after an average of seven postoperative (5–12) days. In none of the cases did functional disorders or complications arise during the follow-up period (1–5 years). The infrahyoid muscle flap is well suited for reconstruction of the posterior pharyngeal wall and the upper esophagus.     

Sternocleidomastoid myoperiosteal flap for the repair of laryngeal and tracheal wall defects

A myoperiosteal flap consisting of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and clavicular periost was successfully used in the repair of deficient laryngeal and cervical tracheal wall in three cases. Complete epithelialization took place with no granuloma formation in any of the three. This flap proved to be rigid enough to form a noncollapsed wall at times of alternative pressure changes. The method described consists of a one-stage procedure where the donor site is in the same surgical field as the defect. There is no interference with any vital function and no apparent cosmetic defect. Therefore, it can be considered a viable alternative to procedures already in use.     

Dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery: a systematic review of potential preventative measures

Background contextAnterior cervical spine surgery is one of the most common spinal procedures performed around the world, but dysphagia is a frequent postoperative complication. Many factors have been associated with an increased risk of swallowing difficulties, including multilevel surgery, revision surgery, and female gender.PurposeThe objective of this study was to review and define potential preventative measures that can decrease the incidence of dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery.Study designThis was a systematic literature review.MethodsA systematic review in the Medline database was performed. Articles related to dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery and potential preventative measures were included.ResultsTwenty articles met all inclusion and exclusion criteria. These articles reported several potential preventative measures to avoid postoperative dysphagia. Preoperative measures include performing tracheal exercises before the surgical procedure. Intraoperative measures can be summarized as avoiding a prolonged operative time and the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein in routine anterior cervical spine surgery, using small and smoother cervical plates, using anchored spacers instead of plates, application of steroid before wound closure, performing arthroplasty instead of anterior cervical fusion for one-level disease, decreasing tracheal cuff pressure during medial retraction, using specific retractors, and changing the dissection plan.ConclusionsCurrent literature supports several preventative measures that may decrease the incidence of postoperative dysphagia. Although the evidence is limited and weak, most of these measures did not appear to increase other complications and can be easily incorporated into a surgical practice, especially in patients who are at high risk for postoperative dysphagia.     

Complications of the anterior retropharyngeal approach in cervical spine surgery: a technique and outcomes review

The retropharyngeal approach is used to avoid the risks and limitations of transmucosal surgery. The standard Smith-Robinson approach does not allow complete exposure of the C3 body/disk in patients requiring instrumentation of C3 or in patients with a short, thick neck. The anterior retropharyngeal approach provides additional exposure to the entire cervical spine in these patients. Our results in 14 cases show the anterior retropharyngeal approach to the upper and lower cervical spine to be an effective surgical technique in cases of upper cervical spine abnormalities and for multilevel abnormalities in patients with a short, thick neck. Although complications occurred as a result of the procedure, no permanent disorders were encountered. Adequate exposure to the entire cervical spine can be achieved without the high incidence of infection associated with the transoral approach.     

Bone morphogenetic protein in complex cervical spine surgery: A safe biologic adjunct?

The advent of recombinant DNA technology has substantially increased the intra-operative utilization of biologic augmentation in spine surgery over the past several years after the Food and Drug Administration approval of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) class of molecules for indications in the lumbar spine. Much less is known about the potential benefits and risks of the “off-label” use of BMP in the cervical spine. The history and relevant literature pertaining to the use of the “off-label” implantation of the BMP class of molecules in the anterior or posterior cervical spine are reviewed and discussed. Early prospective studies of BMP-2 implantation in anterior cervical spine constructs showed encouraging results. Later retrospective studies reported potentially “life threatening complications” resulting in a 2007 public health advisory by the FDA. Limited data regarding BMP-7 in anterior cervical surgery was available with one group reporting a 2.4% early (< 30 d) complication rate (brachialgia and dysphagia). BMP use in the decompressed posterior cervical spine may result in neurologic or wound compromise according to several retrospective reports, however, controlled use has been reported to increase fusion rates in select complex and pediatric patients. There were no cases of de novo neoplasia related to BMP implantation in the cervical spine. BMP-2 use in anterior cervical spine surgery has been associated with a high early complication rate. Definitive recommendations for BMP-7 use in anterior cervical spine surgery cannot be made with current clinical data. According to limited reports, select complex patients who are considered “high risk” for pseudoarthrosis undergoing posterior cervical or occipitocervical arthrodesis or children with congenital or traumatic conditions may be candidates for “off-label” use of BMP in the context of appropriate informed decision making. At the present time, there are no high-level clinical studies on the outcomes and complication rates of BMP implantation in the cervical spine.     

Iatrogenic fractures in ankylosing spondylitis—a report of two cases

Study design: Two cases of intraoperative, iatrogenic cervical spine fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis are reported. Objective: To describe the uncommon complication of iatrogenic cervical spine fractures occurring during spine surgery in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Summary of background data: To our knowledge, this is the first report on this rare complication. Methods: A 39-year-old patient (1) with ankylosing spondylitis was operated on for cervical stenosis due to C1/2 anterolisthesis. Fifteen hours postoperatively, he developed acute quadriplegia. MRI revealed a fracture/dislocation of C6 on C7 and compression of the spinal cord at this level. Revision was performed with decompression and instrumentation from the occiput to T3. A 55-year-old patient (2) with ankylosing spondylitis and thoracic hyperkyphosis underwent a correction procedure consisting of costotransversectomy, anterior cage implantation at T8/9, and posterior instrumentation from T4 to L1. Halo traction was temporarily applied for correction. At the end of the operation, with the patient still under anesthesia, increased mobility of the cervical spine was noticed. Emergent MRI revealed a fracture of the anterior structures of C6/7. Posterior instrumentation from C5 to T1 was then performed. Results: Quadriplegia persisted in patient 1 until his death secondary to further complications. Patient 2 was mobilized without any neurologic deficits. The fracture healed in good alignment. Conclusions: Iatrogenic fractures of the cervical spine during surgery in ankylosing spondylitis patients are a rare but potentially severe complication. Early diagnosis and therapy are necessary before dislocation, cord compression, and subsequent neurologic impairment occur.     

The vertebral artery: surgical anatomy

Anterior cervical decompressive surgery is widely performed for spondylosis, herniated intervertebral disk, tumor, infection, and trauma in the subaxial cervical spine region. Laceration of the vertebral artery is the most challenging of surgical dilemmas during anterior cervical spine surgery, as gaining control of the massive hemorrhage from a ruptured vertebral artery is difficult and could possibly result in an uncertain neurologic morbidity. As such, the understanding the surgical anatomy of the vertebral artery is essential to prevent iatrogenic injuries.     

颈椎前路手术早期并发症原因分析及对策

目的总结颈椎前路手术的术中、术后早期并发症,分析原因并提出对策。方法回顾1992年1月至2003年12月颈椎前路手术412例,男308例,女104例;年龄18～76岁,平均45.6±12.9岁。颈椎病258例,颈椎外伤138例,颈椎肿瘤8例,颈椎结核8例。412例患者,病史最短4小时,最长达20年,平均548d。全瘫58例(14.1%),不全瘫192例(46.6%),无瘫痪症状162例(39.3%)。麻醉包括三大类(5种)局麻(局部浸润35例、颈丛阻滞52例、局部浸润 颈丛阻滞6例、全麻318例、全麻 颈丛1例。前路减压、自体髂骨植骨融合33例,前路减压、椎间融合器椎间融合术32例,前路减压、自体髂骨植骨融合、前路钢板内固定术347例。结果共42例51例次出现早期并发症,并发症的例次发生率为12.37%。28例次(6.80%)同手术直接相关,喉上神经损伤5例次,喉返神经损伤4例次,颈部切口感染及血肿4例次,脊髓损害症状加重5例次,神经根损伤2例次,植骨块移位2例次,取骨区感染及血肿各1例次,钢板、螺钉松动2例次,螺钉位置不当1例次,食管瘘1例次;23例次(5.08%)同手术间接相关。结论降低颈椎前路手术并发症的发生率,不仅要熟悉颈椎前路临床解剖,提高手术技巧,还要做好颈椎前路手术围手术期的处理。     

Fibular flap reconstruction of the cervical spine for repair of osteoradionecrosis

Background contextAlthough cervical spine reconstruction with osteocutaneous fibular flap microvascular grafting has been described, simultaneous reconstruction of the cervical vertebral column and laryngectomy have not been described.PurposeTo present a unique case of combined cervical spine and laryngectomy reconstruction.Study designCase report.MethodsWe modified a previously reported procedure reconstituting the cervical spine and pharynx with a single fibular flap in a case of posterior pharyngeal ulceration and osteomyelitis/osteoradionecrosis without spinal deformity.ResultsWe present a case of simultaneous cervical stabilization and pharynx reconstruction with a fibular graft in a life-saving treatment of osteoradionecrosis complicated by acute cervical kyphosis and spinal cord compression in a 55-year-old patient with extensive head and neck cancer history and recent recurrence of hypopharyngeal cancer.ConclusionsRigid anterior plate fixation and subsequent posterior fixation were required after corpectomy and total laryngectomy in our patient with extensive surgical scarring and radiation history because of severe spinal deformity secondary to osteoradionecrosis. We achieved successful preservation of neurologic function and resolution of pain.     

胸锁乳突肌肌皮瓣在舌癌根治术后舌缺损修复中的应用

目的:总结中晚期舌癌根治性切除即时进行舌再造的经验。方法:对1988年1月至2004年12月间舌癌根治术后即刻修复采用的胸锁乳突肌皮瓣的临床资料进行分析。结果:14例皮瓣全部成活。再造舌外形大部分良好,语言和吞咽功能基本恢复。结论:以胸锁乳突肌肌皮瓣修复中晚期舌癌根治性切除后的舌缺损,可较好恢复舌的形态和功能,提高生存质量。