颈椎前路融合术治疗下颈椎不稳定

目的评价颈椎前路融合术治疗下颈椎不稳定的临床效果。方法2000年10月至2004年10月,对67例X线片显示颈椎不稳定并伴有相应临床症状的颈椎病患者进行了前路融合手术,其中男性38例,女性29例;平均年龄33岁。颈椎不稳的X线判定标准为颈椎最大前屈和最大后伸侧位X线片测量相邻节段水平位移超过3.5mm或相邻椎体间成角大于11°者。手术方法为椎间植骨+钢板固定或融合器植骨融合。结果所有患者平均随访11个月,不稳椎节均得到融合稳定。大部分患者的术前症状获得了不同程度的改善,脊髓功能JOA评分由术前10.15增至术后14.95,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);并发症包括术后钢板螺钉松动拔出2例,行翻修手术后恢复满意。结论对下颈椎不稳定患者,合理选择颈椎前路融合方法可获得满意的临床效果。     

Anterior metal plate fixation in the treatment of unstable lower cervical spine injuries

Summary The authors present their experience with the use of anterior metal plate fixation in thirty-seven patients with an unstable lower cervical spine injury. The application of a metal plate was simple and achieved immediate stabilization. This alternative method of internal fixation of the cervical spine allowed early mobilization and avoidance of complications from long-term skeletal traction. It short-ened the hospital stay. The purpose of this paper is to describe the principles of this technique and to discuss its indications and applications.     

Anterior instrumentation in thetreatment of lower cervical spine injuries

Anterior cervical instrumentation is a valuable adjunct to bony fusion techniques in obtaining internal stability to thecervical spine following trauma. Anterior plate fixator may obviate the need for a subsequent posterior procedure in cases of associated posterior cervical ligamentous instability, decrease the potential for loss of alignment or deformity, prevent graft dislodgment, and minimize the need for restrictive external immobilization for easier rehabilitation.     

Anterior surgery of the lower cervical spine.

The authors discuss the advantages and the limits of using an anterior approach to lower cervical spine; indications, surgical access, the use of bone graft for stabilization, and postoperative treatment are described. Based on their experience, the authors believe the Cloward method, involving decompression-fusion by autologous cylindrical dowel bone graft, to be an ideal method in the treatment of cases of soft central disc hernia, hard hernia, the outcome of progressive instability, and in inflammatory and neo-plastic lesions of the vertebral body.     

Anterior cervical spine fusion for unstable fractures

We present in this report the operative method we have used in 7 cases of fracture-dislocation of the lower cervical spine. The technique includes partial resection of the fractured vertebral body, removal of the adjacent discs, excision of posteriorly displaced bone and disc and anterior interbody fusion between the three vertebrae. The latter is performed using a cortico-cancellous graft taken from the iliac crest and further stability is achieved by a small AO plate. All the cases started motion 48 hours after operation without further external support. Although 6 of the cases showed neurological improvement, this cannot be at this stage attributed to the surgical treatment. Nevertheless, none was made worse by the operation.     

Anterior fusion for rotationally unstable cervical spine fractures

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of 32 rotationally unstable cervical fractures treated by brace, halo vest, or posterior surgical constructs plus fusion is compared with a second, prospective study of 18 similar fractures treated by early anterior discectomy, fusion, and plating. OBJECTIVES: To characterize an often unrecognized fracture pattern and compare various methods of management to identify the most effective treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The rotationally unstable cervical spine fracture (compression-extension Stage 1) involves a hyperextension and lateral flexion injury, resulting in a unilateral pedicle, facet complex, and/or lamina fracture under compression and anterior annular disruption under tension. This fracture pattern allows a rotatory spondylolisthesis of the spine around the axis of the intact lateral mass and facet complex. METHODS: A retrospective review was made of 284 cervical fractures, identifying 32 compression-extension Stage 1 fractures that were treated by a variety of techniques. The results of that study led to a second (prospective) study, in which 18 similar fractures were treated by early anterior discectomy, fusion, and plating. RESULTS: Nonoperative treatment was uniformly unsuccessful. Posterior stabilization and fusion procedures led to unsuccessful results in 45%, related either to late kyphosis because of disc collapse or the inability of midline stabilization procedures to control rotational instability. Anterior fusion resulted in solid union without residual deformity in all cases. All four patients in the prospective study with incomplete cord lesions showed improvement in cord function, as did seven patients who had radiculopathy. CONCLUSION: Although posterior bony injury is the usual radiographic finding, the anterior disc and anterior longitudinal ligament disruption are the more significant injuries and lead to late collapse and kyphotic deformity. Early anterior fusion is recommended in compression- extension Stage 1 cervical spine injuries.     

Anterior plating for lower cervical spine tuberculosis

Sixteen patients with tuberculosis of the lower cervical spine and neurological complication or unacceptable kyphosis were treated by anterior debridement, fusion and H-plate fixation. The follow-up was 38 (13-72) months. All cases had bony fusion. There were no increased neurological deficits. Out of 14 patients with neurological manifestations, 12 showed complete recovery and two marked improvements. Kyphosis improved from 21.6 degrees (5-70 degrees) preoperatively to 2.5 degrees (-6-20 degrees) at the latest follow-up. The major advantage of the anterior instrumentation was better correction of the deformity.     

颈椎前路钢板在下颈椎损伤的应用进展

对颈椎前路钢板在下颈椎损伤国外应用进展进行综述。颈椎前路钢板在设计上有限制性与非限制性两种类型,生物力学研究表明前者的固定强度明显优于后者,但易于在固定阶段对植骨块产生应力阻挡。手术指征主要为颈椎前柱损伤或颈椎后部骨与韧带复合体的损伤。但颈椎损伤存在高度不稳定时,前路钢板固定应联合颈椎后路稳定性手术。否则,术后须应用头环背心支具固定。对撑开屈曲型损伤,应警惕创伤性颈椎间盘突出,以免在牵引复位过程中发生严重的神经损伤。操作时应彻底解除脊髓前方压迫,植入三面皮质骨块,恢复前柱正常前凸,再行前路钢板固定。该方法的优点是达到了固定阶段即时稳定性,提高了植骨融合率,有利于康复。但加重了手术创伤,有发生与钢板或螺钉有关并发症的可能,晚期在临近融合区相邻椎间盘有退行性改变发生。因而在确定治疗方案时,要权衡利弊。     

Halo-vest treatment of unstable traumatic cervical spine injuries

Eighty-three patients with unstable cervical spine injuries were treated with halo-vest stabilization in a prospective consecutive series during a 10 year period. At the follow-up 2-7 years after the trauma, six patients had died and eight patients had been surgically stabilized. Sixty-seven of the remaining 69 patients (97%) were subjected to the follow-up performed with validated protocols. All patients but three were reexamined clinically and radiographically. Flexion-extension motion and sidebending of the neck was measured radiographically. Rotation was measured with the aid of a compass placed on top of the head of the patient. Forty-four patients (53%) had initial neurological deficit, 26 with tetraparesis. The age range was 13-89 years and the male/female ratio was 2/1. The halo-vest treatment period was 10-12 weeks. The 1 year healing rate was 90%. Seven nonunions occurred, all in fracture types known to be prone to nonunion. Complications during the treatment were usually minor, with pin problems being the most frequent (pin loosening 60%). At the follow-up, approximately 80% of all patients had complaints of local neck symptoms. Pain at the extremes of neck motion and stiffness was the most frequent. The symptoms were mild and did not usually have any major impact on return to work or leisure activities. Seventy-five percent of patients with incomplete cord lesions and useless muscle function improved to useful function. The patients had a statistically significant decrease of rotation (18%) and sidebending (18%) of the neck but normal flexion-extension motion when compared to the normal.     

Vertebral artery injuries in cervical spine surgery

Background contextVertebral artery injuries (VAIs) are rare but serious complications of cervical spine surgery, with the potential to cause catastrophic bleeding, permanent neurologic impairment, and even death. The present literature regarding incidence of this complication largely comprises a single surgeon or small multicenter case series.PurposeWe sought to gather a large sample of high-volume surgeons to adequately characterize the incidence and risk factors for VAI, management strategies used, and patient outcomes after VAI.Study designThe study was constructed as a cross-sectional study comprising all cervical spine patients operated on by the members of the international Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS).Patient sampleAll patients who have undergone cervical spine surgery by a current member of CSRS as of the spring of 2012.Outcome measuresFor each surgeon surveyed, we collected self-reported measures to include the number of cervical cases performed in the surgeon's career, the number of VAIs encountered, the stage of the case during which the injury occurred, the management strategies used, and the overall patient outcome after injury.MethodsAn anonymous 10-question web-based survey was distributed to the members of the CSRS. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t tests for numerical outcomes and chi-squared analysis for categorical variables.ResultsOne hundred forty-one CSRS members (of 195 total, 72%) responded to the survey, accounting for a total of 163,324 cervical spine surgeries performed. The overall incidence of VAI was 0.07% (111/163,324). Posterior instrumentation of the upper cervical spine (32.4%), anterior corpectomy (23.4%), and posterior exposure of the cervical spine (11.7%) were the most common stages of the case to result in an injury to the vertebral artery. Discectomy (9%) and anterior exposure of the spine (7.2%) were also common time points for an arterial injury. One-fifth (22/111) of all VAI involved an anomalous course of the vertebral artery. The most common management of VAI was by direct tamponade. The outcomes of VAIs included no permanent sequelae in 90% of patients, permanent neurologic sequelae in 5.5%, and death in 4.5%. Surgeons at academic and private centers had nearly identical rates of VAIs. However, surgeons who had performed 300 or fewer cervical spine surgeries in their career had a VAI incidence of 0.33% compared with 0.06% in those with greater than 300 lifetime cases (p=.028).ConclusionsThe overall incidence of VAI during cervical spine surgery reported from this survey was 0.07%. Less experienced surgeons had a higher rate of VAI compared with their more experienced peers. The results of VAI are highly variable, resulting in no permanent harm most of the time; however, permanent neurologic injury or death occur in 10% of cases.     

中下位颈椎损伤的手术策略

颈椎合并脊髓损伤时其治疗原则应该是解除脊髓的压迫和重建失稳颈椎的稳定性,以达到改善脊髓功能、防止继发性脊髓损伤和早期功能锻炼的目的。但是,颈椎损伤的类型、脊椎管狭窄、骨质疏松和脊髓损伤的程度以及损伤节段等诸多因素均将对颈椎手术人路和稳定重建方式的选择产生影响。     

手术治疗下颈椎创伤107例

目的探讨手术治疗下颈椎创伤的策略。方法手术治疗下颈椎创伤107例:前路手术68例,后路手术9例,前后联合入路手术30例。评价神经功能Frankel分级情况。结果患者均顺利完成手术。107例均获随访,时间6～18个月。植骨融合,颈椎序列较好。神经功能恢复情况:除2例高位截瘫患者没有明显恢复外,其余患者的神经功能均.有1～3级恢复。结论对下颈椎创伤的患者应严格把握手术适应证,选择合适的手术入路,积极预防并发症,采用手术治疗可以取得较好的疗效。     

前路手术治疗颈椎关节突交锁脱位及继发性颈椎不稳

下颈椎损伤后常引起小关节突脱位,容易发生颈髓损伤和颈椎不稳。治疗的主要目的在于恢复颈椎的解部顺序,获得颈椎稳定性,恢复残存的神经功能。1995～2003年,本院对下颈椎小关节突脱位患者常规在X线透视监护下行大重量颅骨牵引闭合复位,然后予前路手术植骨融合或行前路手术切开复位并植骨融合内固定术,取得了良好的临床效果,现报告如下。     

Anterior surgery of the upper cervical spine.

The authors report the results obtained in a series of more than 80 cases submitted to 76 operations of the upper cervical spine by transoral approach with a minimum follow-up of two years. The cases include: 15 unstable fractures or non-union of the odontoid processes; 28 cases of post-traumatic instability of C1-C2 level without fracture of the odontoid process; 13 cases of rheumatoid arthritis with instability at C1-C2; 14 cases of severe anomalies of the craniovertebral junction, often associated with basilar impression and spinal cord compression, of which 7 cases presented with tetraparesis; 6 malignant tumors. The method used involves an anterior transoral approach, more often without tracheotomy, and with exposure of the anterior aspect of the atlas and of the odontoid process by means of a midline incision of the posterior wall of the pharynx. When spinal cord lesion was present, decompression and reconstruction by bone grafts taken from the iliac crest were performed. In nearly all of the cases osteosynthesis with an anterior plate was used. Complications were mild. There were two cases of infection, observed at the onset of our experience, which were resolved after removal of the instrumentation. There was loosening of a screw in three cases; this was eliminated through the digestive tube with no consequences. There were no early intra- or postoperative deaths. Consolidation was obtained in most of the patients, and only in three cases did we observe a loss of postoperative reduction. Among patients affected with tetraparesis we observed many cases of neurological recovery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

单纯前路手术治疗下颈椎脱位

目的探讨早期单纯前路手术治疗下颈椎脱位的临床疗效;方法对2005—06—2011—08收治的41例下颈椎脱位患者,采用颅骨牵引下复位或术中复位,单纯行前路减压,钛网或自体髂骨块植骨融合,前路钢板固定治疗。结果所有病例均得到良好复位,根据x线片定期检查结果,颈椎生理弧度及椎间隙高度良好,植骨融合确切,未出现内固定失用。术后随访10～28个月,Frankel分级显示,绝大部分患者术后神经功能得到不同程度的改善;结论早期行单纯前路手术治疗下颈椎脱位,可获得良好的解剖学复位,能有效地解除脊髓压迫,使脊柱获得即刻稳定。     

Operative spondylodesis in injuries of the lower cervical spine

In view of the high incidence of late instability during conservative treatment of cervical spine fractures, operative stabilization should be performed as soon as possible. Besides immediate decompression of the spinal cord, rapid mobilisation of the patient without external fixation is possible. We report on the results of operative treatment in 97 patients with injuries of the lower cervical spine. The indication for spondylodesis as well as the surgical methods and their complications are discussed.