Smart flap of sternocleidomastoid muscle in anterior cervical spine surgery: Surgical anatomical dissection technique

The use of sternocleidomastoid muscle flap has firstly been described in 1909. In spine surgery, it is usually reserved in the cases of revision after anterior cervical spine procedures. The aim of this article is to introduce its usage as prophylactic measure in cases at high risk of iatrogenic fistula formation. The procedure consists of three main steps: sternocleidomastoid isolation, flap design and harvesting, and flap fixation. The use of a surgical anchor allows a better adherence to the plate preventing hematoma formation. The use of SCM smart flap in primary anterior cervical spine surgery as a prophylactic method could be considered a safe and feasible procedure in patients with a high risk of iatrogenic fistulas.     

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.     

Plastic surgical treatment of a chronic thoracic duct fistula using a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap — a case report

Thoracic duct fistula is a rare but potentially serious complication of head and neck surgery. Such fistulae may be difficult to treat, and several techniques, both operative and non-operative, have been advocated. A case of successful surgical treatment of a chronic thoracic duct fistula is presented. The fistula occurred in a 51-year-old female following treatment of a solitary supraclavicular breast metastasis by local excision and radiotherapy. The divided duct was ligated and the area was covered with the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.     

颈椎前路手术并发食道瘘的诊断与治疗

目的探讨颈椎前路手术并发食道瘘的原因、诊断、治疗及预防。方法对1985～2003年诊治的13例因行颈前路手术出现食道瘘的病例进行分析。结果颈椎前路手术后食道瘘的发生原因：(1)术中拉钩长时间压迫食道,致牵拉处食道缺血坏死6例;(2)颈椎内固定物松动脱落致损伤食道3例;(3)颈椎植骨块松动脱落,致食道损伤2例;(4)手术中器械直接损伤食道1例;(5)手术中颈椎内固定物将食道嵌入,致食道损伤1例。诊断：术后出现高热、咽部疼痛、伤口肿胀、进食时伤口内有食物残渣或液体流出等,即考虑食道瘘的发生。行食道造影可明确诊断。治疗：禁食、水,下胃管;拆除切口缝线,敞开切口引流,换药;待伤口炎症反应消退,行食道修补术。结论颈椎前路手术致食道瘘的发生原因较多,应采取措施预防其发生,并采取正确的治疗方法处理已经出现的食道瘘,总体来说,其治疗效果良好。     

颈前路再手术后并发颈动脉窦强烈反应致难治性低血压1例报告

<正>颈椎前路术后食管瘘的发生率为0.06%,取出内置物是治疗的关键[1]。但由于周边重要血管神经的存在及组织的粘连,导致颈前路再手术出现并发症的风险大大增加。我科收治1例颈前路术后食管瘘患者,取出内置物后出现难治性低血压,考虑由颈动脉窦强烈反应(carotid sinus hyperactivity,CSR)所致,报道如下。患者男性,58岁,因"颈椎外伤术后近10年,右颈部     

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.     

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。     

Vertebral arteriovenous fistula following anterior cervical spine surgery. Report of two cases

Fistulous communication between the vertebral artery and its surrounding venous plexus is rare. Two cases of vertebral arteriovenous fistula following anterior cervical spine surgery are reported. The anatomic relationships of the vertebral vessels, the radiographic findings, and the various therapeutic approaches to these lesions are discussed.     

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。     

Reconstruction of late esophagus perforation after anterior cervical spine fusion with an adipofascial anterolateral thigh free flap: A case report

Reconstruction of late esophageal perforation usually requires flap surgery to achieve wound healing. However, restoring the continuity between the digestive tract and retropharyngeal space to allow for normal swallowing remains a technical challenge. In this report, we describe the use of a thin and pliable free adipofascial anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap in a 47‐year‐old tetraplegic man with a history of C5–C6 fracture presented with a large posterior esophagus wall perforation allowing an easier flap insetting for a successful wound closure. The postoperative course was uneventful and mucosalization of the flap was confirmed by esophagoscopy 4 weeks postsurgery. The patient tolerated normal diet and maintained normal swallowing during a follow‐up of 3 years postoperatively. The adipofascial ALT flap may provide easier insetting due to the thin and pliable layer of adipofascial tissue for reconstructing large defects of the posterior wall of the esophagus by filling the retroesophageal space.     

Oesophageal perforation following cervical spinal surgery with instrumentation: A case report on primary repair with pedicled sternocleidomastoid muscle flap reinforcement and review of the literature

Anterior cervical spine fusion and stabilisation is an entrenched procedure for managing traumatic spinal fracture. Oesophageal perforation by spinal hardware after cervical spinal fusion surgery is a rare complication that can be life-threatening. We present a case with a complication of oesophageal perforation following anterior and posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation performed 7 years ago with a review of literature.     

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis after anterior cervical discoidectomy and fusion in a case of whiplash cervical spine injury: a case report

BACKGROUND

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a risk of anterior cervical discoidectomy and fusion. We discuss the mechanism of vocal cord paralysis and the precautions necessary to avoid this catastrophic complication. A rare case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis after anterior cervical discoidectomy and fusion (ACD/F) is reported.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The patient, a 37-year-old male, was paraplegic, had bilateral intrinsic hand muscle weakness and sphincter involvement following a whiplash cervical spinal injury. A C5-C6 ACD/F for traumatic C5-C6 disc prolapse was performed. On the third postoperative day, he developed difficulty in coughing and a husky voice. Otolaryngological evaluation revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis. He later required a tracheostomy that partially alleviated his major symptoms.

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing ACD/F, a mandatory preoperative evaluation of the vocal cords should be performed. An appropriate modification in surgical planning should be made if vocal cord palsy is diagnosed preoperatively to prevent bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Proper and judicious use of Cloward retractors is advocated.     

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。     

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。     

颈椎前路术后吞咽困难的相关因素分析

目的:探讨颈椎前路手术后发生吞咽困难的相关因素。方法:随访2008年8月～2010年7月收治的颈椎前路手术患者135例,其中男82例,女53例;年龄32～80岁,平均58.2岁;诊断为脊髓型颈椎病58例,神经根型颈椎病32例,混合型颈椎病18例,后纵韧带骨化症27例。入院后均由同一组医师治疗,手术方式分为颈椎前路减压融合术(ACDF)、颈椎前路次全切减压融合术(ACCF)和人工颈椎间盘置换术(TDR)。观察患者手术后是否存在吞咽困难:对于存在吞咽困难的患者均静脉应用甲泼尼松龙及对症治疗。结果:术后共有36例(26.7%)患者出现吞咽困难,男11例,女25例,年龄42～80岁,平均59.6岁;其余99例,年龄32~76岁,平均52.3岁,发生吞咽困难者平均年龄显著高于未发生者(P<0.05)。发生吞咽困难患者中使用钛板内固定35例,其中单节段2例(9.1%),双节段13例(21.0%),多节段(包括三节段及三节段以上者)20例(52.6%);颈椎人工椎间盘置换者1例;术后吞咽困难发生率使用内固定者较人工椎间盘置换者高(P<0.05),多节段内固定者较单、双节段者明显升高(P<0.05)。手术最高节段累及C2或C3者23例,术后吞咽困难发生率26.1%;累及C4或C5者88例,发生率28.4%;累及C6或C7者24例,发生率20.1%,三组两两比较无统计学差异(P>0.05)。吞咽困难者的手术时间、失血量及住院天数与未发生吞咽困难者比较均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。35例(97.2%)患者的吞咽困难症状在术后6个月内减轻或消失,1例至随访1年时症状才消失。结论:女性、高龄、使用钛板内置物、手术节段多可能是颈椎前路手术后发生吞咽困难的相关因素,临床医生应给予相应重视和采取相应措施以减少其发生。