Tracheostomy following anterior cervical spine fusion in trauma patients

Purpose

Traumatic injuries to the cervical spine are frequently accompanied by cervical spinal cord injuries—often necessitating tracheostomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient characteristics and outcomes after undergoing anterior cervical spine fusion (ACSF) with tracheostomy.

Methods

All patients with cervical spine injury (CSI) who underwent ACSF and tracheostomy between December 1992 and June 2014 were included in this retrospective data analysis. The study group consisted of 32 men (84 %) and six women (16 %), with an average age of 47?±?20 years. Blunt trauma to the cervical spine was the cause of CSI in all 38 patients.

Results

The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 30.50?±?6.25. Eighteen patients sustained severe concomitant injuries related to the spinal injury. In 15 patients (39.5 %), traumatic brain injury (TBI) with fractures of the cranium and/or intracranial lesions were observed. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 11?±?4.5 (range 3–15). Two tracheostomies (5.3 %) were performed simultaneously with ACSF. The remaining 36 were performed with an average “delay” of 15?±?ten days. We observed no difference in time to tracheostomy among patients initially presenting with an American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score of either A, B, C or D. Only two patients (5.3 %) were identified as having an infection at the site of ACSF after placement of a tracheostomy. There were no deaths directly related to airway difficulties in our cohort.

Conclusions

Our data show that tracheostomy is safely performed after an average of 15 days post-ACSF, thereby being associated with a very low rate of complications. However, future prospective randomised studies are needed to identify the optimal timing of tracheostomy placement after ACSF. Level of evidence: IV; retrospective case series.

     

Ultrasonographically guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy after anterior cervical spine fixation

Patients with anterior cervical spine fixation (ACSF) after acute spinal cord injury often require tracheostomy for prolonged ventilatory support and upper respiratory tract clearance. The authors report two patients with ACSF who underwent a successful ultrasonographically guided percutaneous tracheostomy with dilatation forceps technique. Possible advantages of the ultrasonographically guided method with dilatation forceps in patients with ACSF are discussed.     

颈椎前路内固定术后食管瘘

目的探讨颈椎前路内固定术后食管瘘的病因、治疗及预防措施。方法总结1999年以来5例患者,采用手术清创、钢板取出,瘘口修补或旷置,术后严格禁食水,加强支持治疗及抗感染等。结果经0.5-6个月全部病例均愈合恢复进食,随访3-24个月无复发。结论颈椎前路内固定术后食管瘘是一种严重的并发症,关键在于预防,发生后常需取出内固定钢板。     

Metal plate fixation after anterior fusion of unstable fracture dislocations of the cervical spine

Unstable fracture dislocations due to torn ligaments, fractures of both articular processes, or detachments of entire vertebral arches from vertebral bodies still pose the problem of fixation after anterior fusion. The application of internal metal plate fixation--using the small AO (ASFI) fragment equipment--is described in 3 cases, and the advantages of this type of fixation are discussed.     

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.     

Airway obstruction after anterior cervical spine surgery

Complications arising from operations on the cervical spine through an anterior approach are relatively uncommon. However, the surgical territory is such that when complications do arise they can be serious and occasionally life-threatening. We report the case of a patient who developed acute respiratory obstruction after Cloward's procedure.     

Morphological character of cervical spine for anterior transpedicular screw fixation

Background:

Anterior cervical interbody grafts/cages combined with a plate were frequently used in multilevel discectomies/corpectomies. In order to avoid additional posterior stabilization in patients who undergo anterior reconstructive surgery, an anterior cervical transpedicular screw fixation, which offers higher stability is desirable. We investigated in this study the anatomical (morphologic) characters for cervical anterior transpedicular screw fixation.

Materials and Methods:

Left pedicle parameters were measured on computed tomography (CT) images based on 36 cervical spine CT scans from healthy subjects. The parameters included outer pedicle width (Distance from lateral to medial pedicle surface in the coronal plane), outer pedicle height (OPH) (Distance from upper to lower pedicle surface in the sagittal plane), maximal pedicle axis length (MPAL), distance transverse insertion point (DIP), distance of the insertion point to the upper end plate (DIUP), pedicle sagittal transverse angle (PSTA) and pedicle transverse angle (PTA) at C3 to C7.

Results:

The values of outer pedicle width and MPAL in males were larger than in females from C3 to C7. The OPH in males was larger than in females at C3 to C6, but there was no difference at C7. The DIP and PTA were significantly greater in males than in females at C3, but there was no difference in the angle at C4-7. The PSTA was not statistically different between genders at C3, 4, 7, but this value in males was larger than females at C5, 6. The DIUP was significantly greater in males at C3, 4, 6, 7 but was non significant at C5.

Conclusions:

The placement of cervical anterior transpedicular screws should be individualized for each patient and based on a detailed preoperative planning.     

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。     

颈前路植骨钢板内固定治疗创伤性枢椎前滑移

目的 评价C2、C3椎体间植骨、钢板内固定治疗创伤性枢椎前滑移的临床价值。方法 8例创伤性枢椎前滑移患行颈前路手术复位、椎间盘切除减压、自体髂骨植骨、钢板内固定术，平均随访1年，观察患术后颈椎生理高度、曲度重建和颈椎稳定性、运动情况。结果 8例患均获得完全的枢椎复位，C2、C3椎体在术后16周达到骨性融合，颈椎生理高度、曲度得以重建，旋转、屈伸功能良好，无钢板螺钉并发症。结论 颈前路钢板内固定是治疗创伤性枢椎前滑移的有效方法。     

颈椎前路术后吞咽困难的相关原因分析

目的 :探讨颈椎前路术后发生吞咽困难的相关原因。方法 :对2011年7月至2013年10月进行颈前路手术的328例患者进行回顾性分析,其中男157例,女171例;年龄28~81岁。手术方式包括颈椎体次全切钛网植骨融合内固定术、颈前路椎间盘摘除植骨融合内固定术、颈椎体次全切椎间盘摘除植骨融合内固定术、颈椎间盘置换。术后1个月根据Bazaz食道功能标准对患者进行评价,将所有患者分成吞咽困难组和吞咽正常组,比较两组年龄、性别、手术节段数、颈前路钛板使用率。结果:术后1个月共有63例患者出现吞咽困难,男19例,女44例,男女性别之间吞咽困难发生率差异有统计学意义(P=9.1×10-280.05);吞咽困难组:年龄38~81岁,平均年龄65.0岁;吞咽正常组:年龄28~73岁,平均年龄53.6岁;发生吞咽困难组与吞咽正常组之间年龄差异有统计学意义(P=1.4×10-80.05);63例吞咽困难患者均使用钛板内固定,而21例吞咽正常患者均为人工颈椎间盘置换(未使用颈前路钛板固定),应用颈前路钛板固定与人工颈椎间盘置换术后的吞咽困难差异有统计学意义(P=0.0180.05);手术单节段3例,双节段24例,3节段及3个以上节段36例,3节段及3个以上节段钛板内固定组与单、双节段钛板内固定组吞咽困难发生率之间差异有统计学意义(P=3.6×10-330.05)。结论 :颈前路术后吞咽困难的原因较多,其中应包括女性、高龄、钛板内固定的应用以及多节段手术等因素,临床医生在进行颈前路手术时应引起高度重视。     

Instability of the cervical spine after anterior interbody fusion

Summary Twenty-one patients suffering from cervical spondylosis and peripheral symptoms underwent uncomplicated anterior interbody fusion of the cervical spine and were re-examined clinically and radiologically at 27 ± 15 months (mean ± SD) after the operation. Translatory displacement of the segment adjacent to the fusion level was noted in 14 patients. Its incidence could not be related to the age and sex of the patient, to extent of the fusion, or to post-operative time. Anterior slippage did not correlate with persistent or recurring pain.

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Zusammenfassung 21 Patienten mit zervikaler Spondylose wurden durchschnittlich 27 ± 15 Monate nach einer unkomplizierten vorderen Fusion der Halswirbelsäule untersucht. Röntgenologisch fand sich bei 14 Patienten eine vordere Instabilität des angrenzenden Segments. Ihr Auftreten korrelierte nicht mit dem Alter und Geschlecht des Patienten, mit der Fusionsstrecke oder mit dem postoperativen Zeitraum. Anhaltende oder wiederkehrende Schmerzen konnten ebenfalls in keinen Zusammenhang mit der Instabilität gebracht werden.

     

颈椎前路手术并发食管瘘的治疗

目的 :探讨颈椎前路手术并发食管瘘的治疗措施及其效果。方法 :回顾性分析2006年9月~2016年7月颈椎前路手术并发食管瘘的8例患者资料,其中男6例,女2例;年龄31~71岁(52.32±13.05岁)。外伤性颈椎骨折4例(其中强直性脊柱炎2例),颈椎病2例,颈椎结核1例,颈椎畸形1例。术中发现食管瘘1例,当即给予修补;术后早发性(1个月内)食管瘘6例,其中2例经呋喃西林纱布条换药处理,2例行清创探查引流术并在术中给予修补,1例清创探查术后给予胸锁乳突肌瓣填塞,1例因脓毒血症死亡;迟发性(1个月后)食管瘘1例,行内固定取出清创探查,并肌瓣填塞。同时所有患者行伤口细菌培养,应用敏感抗生素,鼻饲饮食加强营养等治疗。结果:1例强直性脊柱炎合并颈椎骨折脱位患者,于术后第4天出现食管瘘,术后第7天因脓毒血症死亡;其余7例食管瘘口均愈合,愈合时间为2周~2.5个月;随访1~5年(2.86±1.36年),7例均无复发,且吞咽功能良好。结论:依据食管瘘发生的时间,结合其大小和污染程度采取不同的治疗方案,可取得较好的疗效。     

The use of anterior Caspar plate fixation in acute cervical spine injury

Optimal management of cervical cord injury in the presence of documented instability and/or compression of neural elements remains a controversial topic. Surgery and internal stabilization of cervical spine fracture/dislocations are effective and well accepted, but controversy exists on the relative merits of the anterior versus the posterior approach as well as the optimal timing of surgical intervention. We report our experience with the Caspar technique and instrumentation for anterior stabilization in 54 patients for acute cervical spine injury. Our series consists of 38 male and 16 female patients whose ages ranged from 16 to 68 years, with a mean age of 29.2 years. Thirty-two of these patients had complete neurological sensory/motor deficits at the time of presentation, eight were neurologically intact, and 14 had preservation of some motor and sensory function. All 54 patients had radiographic evidence of posterior instability as well as anterior disruption of either a vertebral body or intervertebral disk. We found that "early" intervention (less than 24 hours after injury) was performed frequently in the neurologically compromised patients. Twelve of the 22 patients undergoing surgery less than 24 hours after admission regained significant neurological function, with 13 of 22 developing postoperative complications. In the "delayed" group (surgery more than 24 hours after injury, mean 14.3 days), 14 patients experienced postoperative complications, with 15 of 24 demonstrating neurological improvement. The eight patients who were intact did uniformly well. There was no mortality during the follow-up. All 54 patients showed a solid fusion (clinically and radiologically) within 6 months of surgery. In two cases the plates had to be removed, without risking the fusion. Our experience suggests that although anterior cervical fusion and Caspar plating remain appropriate for patients with documented anterior compromise of the canal, it should not substitute for more traditional posterior stabilization procedures. Because this route has the potential for more serious complications, it should be reserved for the cases in which anterior decompression is deemed necessary or posterior fusion was unsuccessful. With appropriate selection of patients, no adverse effect of early surgery was demonstrated. In fact, neurologically compromised patients had the benefits of increased ease of patient care and early transfer to rehabilitation.     

Morphologic evaluation of cervical spine anatomy with computed tomography: anterior cervical plate fixation considerations

The computed tomography (CT) studies of the cervical spine from 50 males and 50 females were reviewed to provide morphometric data on a variety of anatomic parameters relevant to anterior cervical reconstruction and fixation. Measurements were made of the vertebral body width and midsagittal anteroposterior (AP) diameter and the distance between the medial borders of the longus coli muscles. Distances between adjacent endplates were also measured, both at their midpoint and at the anterior margin. Widths of the vertebral bodies measure 24.6 +/- 2.4 and 23.0 +/- 2.4 mm in males and females, respectively, with the narrowest measuring 17 and 14, respectively. The average midsagittal AP diameter of each vertebral body in males was approximately 17-18 mm, with the smallest AP diameter measured to be 13 mm. The average midsagittal AP diameter of each vertebral body in females was approximately 15-16 mm, with the smallest being 10 mm. CT scanning provides excellent osseous detail for the measurement of such parameters, and with its widespread use in the evaluation of cervical disorders, large numbers of patients can be reviewed.     

颈椎前路减压Inter Fix椎体间融合

目的 观察颈椎前路减压Inter Fix椎体间融合的稳定性及融合效果。方法 采用前路减压Inter Fix椎体间融合治疗颈椎间盘突出症27例,术后定期摄颈椎X线片检查,观察手术椎节的稳定性和融合情况。结果 随访7－19个月,术后次日即下床活动,手术节段稳定,术后3－4个月融合。结论 Inter Fix颈椎椎体间固定融合技术使施术椎节立即稳定,避免了自体植骨引起的并发症,可作为颈椎前路减压后椎体间融合的一种方法。     

Oral extrusion of a screw after anterior cervical spine plating

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of a 76-year-old woman who retched up a screw from a cervical spine locking plate 5 years after anterior cervical spine fusion. The literature relevant to this topic is reviewed. OBJECTIVES: To report the rare but potentially life-threatening complication of oral screw extrusion after anterior cervical spine plating, to review the relevant literature on the topic, and to discuss the clinical management of instrumentation failure in anterior cervical spine plating. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Anterior cervical spine fusion and stabilization is a well-established procedure. Complications include instrumentation failure, which can progress to extrusion through the gastrointestinal tract. Management is dependent on the severity and progression of clinical and radiologic signs and symptoms. Reoperation should be considered in certain cases. METHODS: A rare complication of anterior cervical spine plating in a 76-year-old woman 5 years after the initial operation is reported. The patient was assessed with serial physical examination and radiograph and one further follow-up 3 months after the first presentation. RESULTS: The patient was asymptomatic shortly after she retched up the screw, and at the 3-month follow-up was without evidence of progression of plate dislodgement. CONCLUSION: As reported, oral extrusion of cervical spine grafts or instrumentation is rare but potentially serious. Each case of instrumentation failure should be assessed individually to decide if conservative management is appropriate or if reoperation should be considered.     

Comparative study of the stability of anterior and posterior cervical spine fixation procedures

Both posterior and anterior procedures of stabilization are used for operative immobilization of unstable functional units of the cervical spine. The primary stabilizing effect of each procedure was examined and the two were compared in an experimental study. To this end the functional units C-5 and C-6 were removed from ten fresh cervical spines, the discoligamentous structures being preserved, and C-6 was embedded in methacrylate. As a result of a tensile force in a vertical direction applied to the base of the spinous process of C-5, a flexion bending load was introduced into the unit, the main component of which was measured with the aid of one vertical- and two horizontal-displacement transducers. The respective tilting angle alpha and the translation were calculated on the basis of these values. Each individual functional unit was measured with and without the discoligamentous lesion. This posterior instability was then stabilized with an H-plate, a hook plate, sublaminar wiring, and various combinations of these. Our results lead to the following clinically relevant conclusions: With isolated posterior instability, posterior fixation with the hook plate appears to bring about exercise stability. With complete discoligamentous instability, the combined procedures certainly produce exercise stability, from a biomechanical point of view, the posterior hook, plate alone being capable of guaranteeing secure fixation. Exclusive posterior wiring with complete discoligamentous instability may, without external immobilization, result in permanent subluxation in the functional unit. Exclusive anterior H-plate fixation with complete discoligamentous instability requires additional external immobilization in the postoperative stage in order to prevent flexion.