Mini-open approach combined with percutaneous transarticular screw fixation for C1–C2 fusion

This paper describes a limited exposure for posterior C1–C2 arthrodesis aided by percutaneous transarticular fixation. The purpose of this study was to report the fusion rate using the aforementioned method. Fifty-seven patients (54 females and three males) with C1–C2 instability due to rheumatoid disease constituted the material of this study. The exposure was restricted to C0–C3 levels. The drilling and insertion of the screws was done through two mini stab wounds. A special sleeve and screwdriver were developed to facilitate this step. An autogenous iliac bone graft was fixed between the decorticated posterior arch of the atlas and the lamina of the axis vertebra. The mean of the atlantodental interval decreased from 8.5 mm (SD 2.3 mm) to 2.6 mm (SD 0.6 mm) at the immediate postoperative periods and reached 2.7 mm (SD 0.7 mm) after a mean follow-up of 30.4 months (SD 5.6 months). Malposition of the screws was observed in two patients and warranted a second operation in one. Fusion was evident in 98% of the cases. Percutaneous insertion of the screws in posterior C1–C2 transarticular fixation reduces the size of the exposure and the surgical trauma to the cervical segments below the fixation.     

Bilateral C1 laminar hooks combined with C2 pedicle screws fixation for treatment of C1–C2 instability not suitable for placement of transarticular screws

The study design described here is a posterior C1–C2 fusion technique composed of bilateral C1 hooks and C2 pedicle screws. In addition, the clinical results of using this method on 13 patients with C1–C2 instability are reported. The objectives are to introduce a new technique for posterior C1–C2 fusion and to evaluate the clinical outcome of using it to treat C1–C2 instability. From October 2006 to August 2008, 13 patients (9 men and 4 women) with C1–C2 instability were included in this study: 3 had acute odontoid fractures, 4 had obsolete odontoid fractures, 4 had os odontoideum and 2 had traumatic rupture of the transverse ligament. All patients underwent posterior atlantoaxial fixation with bilateral C1 hooks and C2 pedicle screws. The mean follow-up duration was 25 months (range 13–30 months). Each patient underwent a complete cervical radiograph series, including anterior–posterior, lateral, and flexion–extension views, and a computed tomographic scan. The clinical course was evaluated according to the Frankel grading system. No clinically manifested injury of the nerve structures or the vertebral artery was observed in any of these cases. Five patients with neurological symptoms showed significant improvement in neurological function postoperatively. Bony fusion and construction stability were observed in all 13 patients (100%) on their follow-up radiographs, and no instrument failure was observed. Bilateral C1 hooks combined with C2 pedicle screws can be used as an alternative treatment method for C1–C2 dislocation, especially in cases not suitable for the use of transarticular screws. The clinical follow-up shows that this technique is a safe and effective method of treatment.     

C1–C2 type Harms internal fixation for unstable C2 fracture in a 6-year-old boy: Case report

BackgroundDecision-making is often difficult in odontoid fracture in children.Case reportWe present the case of a 6-year-old boy who sustained cervical trauma on falling out of a tree. Initial cervical X-ray and CT-scan did not find any traumatic lesion. Three-week check-up revealed an unstable C2 fracture in the synchondrosis at the base of the odontoid bone, with anterior displacement (type IC on the classification of Hosalkar et al.), without neurological symptoms except for cervical pain and limitation of head rotation. MRI confirmed the absence of medullary lesion. The Harms technique was used to fix C1 and C2, using adult instrumentation without bone graft. Bone fusion was obtained at 8 months. Hardware was removed at 10 months. No complications were reported.ConclusionsPosterior internal fixation for unstable C2 fractures in children can be effective and relatively safe.     

Posterior C1–C2 screw and rod instrument for reduction and fixation of basilar invagination with atlantoaxial dislocation

Purpose

To report the surgical technique and preliminary clinical results for the treatment of basilar invagination (BI) with atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) by posterior C1–C2 pedicle screw and rod instrument.

Methods

Between July 2012 and August 2013, 33 patients who had BI with AAD underwent surgery at our institution. Pre and postoperative three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) scans were performed to assess the degree of dislocation. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to evaluate the compression of the medulla oblongata. For all patients, reduction of the AAD was conducted by two steps: fastening nuts and rods was performed to achieve the horizontal reduction. Distraction between C1 and C2 screws was performed to obtain the vertical reduction.

Results

No neurovascular injury occurred during surgery. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 15 months (mean 10.38 months) in 32 patients. Post-operative three-dimensional CT showed that complete horizontal reduction was obtained in 30/33 (90.9 %), and complete vertical reduction was obtained in 31/33 (93.9 %). The repeated three-dimensional CT and MR image demonstrated that bony fusion and the decompression of the medulla oblongata were obtained in all patients. Clinical symptoms improved significantly 3 months after surgery.

Conclusions

This C1–C2 pedicle screw and rod instrument is a promising technique for the treatment of BI with AAD.     

Pre-operative irreducible C1–C2 dislocations: intra-operative reduction and posterior fixation. The “always posterior strategy”

Background  According to Menezes’ algorithm, pre-operative dynamic neuroradiological investigation in C1–C2 dislocations (C1C2D) instability is strongly advocated in order to exclude those patients not eligible for posterior fixation and fusion without previous anterior trans-oral decompression. Anterior irreducible compression due to C1C2D instability, it is said, needs trans-oral anterior decompression. We reviewed our experience in order to refute such a paradigm. Methods  The study involves 23 patients who were operated on for cranio-vertebral junction (CVJ) instability; all of them had C1C2D of varying degree on x-ray, computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the CVJ. Pre-operatively, irreducible C1C2D was demonstrated only in 3 patients, (2 with Down’s Syndrome, one of them was harbouring os odontoideum, 1 Rheumatoid Arthritis), i.e. 13.04%; the remaining 19 (86.9%) had reducible C1–C2 dislocation. After an unsuccessful traction test conducted in the pre-operative phase under sedation, it was possible to completely reduce the C1C2D (with a combination of axial traction with light extension of the neck on the chest and a light flexion of the head on the neck by using a Mayfield head holder) and proceed to posterior fixation in all the patients under general anaesthesia using a precise “timing sequences fixation technique”. Wiring (C0 and C3 were fixed first being stretched up to approximately 10 lbs, then C2 in order to pull up this vertebra last by forcing approximately 8 lbs) or screw fixation methods were used to achieve fusion along with post-operative external orthosis and neuroradiological assessment of the C1C2D. The instrumentation produced a lever and pulley effect which assisted reduction of the dislocation. Findings  At follow up (range 34–55 months-mean 45.33 months) the clinical picture was improved or stable in all patients. Conclusions  Pre-operative irreducibility of the C1C2D should not be an absolute indication for trans-oral decompression. An attempt to reduce the dislocation under general anaesthesia and during posterior fixation should be attempted in Down’s syndrome, os odontoideum and rheumatoid arthritis.     

Modified technique for C1–2 screw-rod fixation and fusion using autogenous bicortical iliac crest graft

Introduction  

Various techniques have been described for posterior atlantoaxial fusion. Sublaminar passage of the wire/cable is cumbersome with a risk of spinal cord injury. Packing morselized bone grafts into the C1–2 facet joints may be difficult and it may cause massive bleeding and neuropathic pain or posterior scalp numbness postoperatively. We introduce a modified method by using C1–2 screw-rod fixation (SRF) to compress a structural iliac bone graft between the posterior elements of C1 and C2 without supplemental wiring construct.     

Tibial Pilon fractures Internal plate fixation versus external wire fixation

A M ED LIN E search w as conducted to identify studiepublished betw een January 1998and January 2004usininternal plate fixation or external wire fixation for treatm ent of tibial Pilon fractures.The search strategy identified 20articles thatreportedoutcom…     

Posterior realignment of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with C1–C2 screw and rod system: a technique of direct reduction and fixation

Background contextTreatment of chronic and irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) with ventral compression is challenging for surgeons. The main procedures are occipitocervical/C1–C2 fusion after transoral odontoidectomy or release of the periodontoid tissues. These surgical procedures, which are performed simultaneously or intermittently, have many disadvantages that may discount their effectiveness. Therefore, a more effective way to achieve surgical reduction and to keep solid stability with only a single procedure is needed.PurposeWe describe a technique to reduce chronic and irreducible AAD with C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw and rod system.Study designThis was a retrospective case series.Patient sampleOur sample comprised 26 patients (9 men and 17 women) with irreducible AAD who ranged in age from 15 to 54 years (mean, 35 years).Outcome measuresPatients' neurologic status was evaluated with the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scale.MethodsTwenty-six symptomatic patients underwent posterior realignment and reduction through the C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw and rod system. The proposed mechanism of reduction is that the implanted screws and rods between C1 and C2 acting as a lever system drew C1 backward and pushed C2 downward and forward after removing circumambient obstruction and scars and thoroughly releasing the facet joints. The preoperative and postoperative JOA score, the extent of reduction, and the conditions of C1–C2 bony fusion were examined.ResultsNo neurovascular injury occurred during surgery. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 40 months (mean 20.7 months). Radiographic evaluation showed that solid bony fusion was achieved in all patients, and that complete reduction was attained in 18 patients and partial reduction (>60% reduction) in 8 patients. The mean postoperative JOA score at last follow-up was 15.7, compared with the preoperative score of 12.1 (p<.01).ConclusionsThis C1–C2 screw and rod system provides reliable stability and sufficient reduction of the anatomic malalignment at the craniovertebral junction and meanwhile retains the mobility of atlanto-occipital joints in the treatment of chronic and irreducible AAD. Sophisticated skills, thorough release of the facet joints, and intraoperative protection of the vertebral artery are key points to accomplish this technique.     

Intraarticular distal radial fractures External fixation versus open reduction with internal fixation

Results of three randomized controlled trials, class of evidenceⅡ, comparing external fixation (EF) with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for the treatment of intraarticular distal radial fractures described no consistent benefit of one treatment over another. Only grip strength was significantly better with EF compared with ORIF in two studies. There was a suggestion of fewer complications, more rapid return of function, and better functional outcome with EF, but these results were not consistent across studies. No statistically significant differences in rates of infection or reflex sympathetic dystrophy were seen between treatment groups. Larger, methodologically sound randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether treatment with EF is indeed preferable to ORIF.     

Biomechanical analysis of bicondylar tibial plateau fixation: how does lateral locking plate fixation compare to dual plate fixation?

OBJECTIVES: This study is designed to test the comparative strength of lateral-only locked plating to medial and lateral nonlocked plating in a cadaveric model of a bicondylar proximal tibial plateau fracture. METHODS: Ten matched pairs of human cadaveric proximal tibia specimens were used for biomechanical testing. Cyclic loading using a materials testing device simulated initial range of motion and load bearing following surgical repair. Subsidence of the medial and the lateral condyles was measured following 10,000 cycles from 100N to 1,000N; the maximum load to failure on the medial condyle for both plate constructs was also measured. RESULTS: On the lateral side, dual plating (DP) allowed an average of 0.68 +/- 0.14 mm of subsidence, compared with 1.03 +/- 0.27 mm for the fixed-angle plate (FAP) (P = 0.077). On the medial side, DP allowed an average of 0.78 +/- 0.15 mm of subsidence, compared with 1.51 +/- 0.32 mm for the FAP (P = 0.045). No significant difference was found in the maximal load to medial condyle fixation failure between either plating construct (P = 0.204). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that dual-plate fixation allows less subsidence in this bicondylar tibial plateau cadaveric model when compared to isolated locked lateral plates. This may raise concerns about the widespread use of isolated lateral locked plate constructs in bicondylar tibial plateau fractures.     

腕关节镜结合Fragment specific fixation技术在桡骨远端C型骨折中的应用

[目的]探讨腕关节镜结合Fragment specific fixation技术在桡骨远端C型骨折中的治疗效果。[方法]采用腕关节镜Fragment specific fixation技术辅助克氏针、钢板内固定或外固定支架[1]治疗桡骨远端C型骨折12例,平均随访11.3个月,临床疗效根据Sarmiento改良的Gartland-Werley计分法行腕关节功能计分和询问患者主观感觉。[结果]术后X线检查显示骨折愈合良好,无延迟愈合或不愈合。桡骨远端的掌倾角、尺偏角和桡骨高度均恢复正常。用疼痛标尺行疼痛计分评价,结果:疼痛不明显者9例,轻度疼痛者2例,中度疼痛者1例,平均疼痛计分(0.92±0.61)分;腕关节功能评定:优8例,良2例,一般2例,优良率83.3%,平均评分(3.08±1.21)分。[结论]采用腕关节镜结合Fragment specific fixation技术治疗桡骨远端C型骨折,既可较好地解决维持桡骨关节面高度和恢复关节面平整的问题,最大程度地恢复关节功能,减轻创伤性关节炎,又可以了解腕关节内韧带和TFCC等结构的损伤程度,骨折处固定更加合理、牢固,患者创伤小、恢复快、功能好。     

Stability of Lisfranc injury fixation in Thiel Cadavers: Is routine fixation of the 1st and 3rd tarsometatarsal joint necessary?

BackgroundThere is debate as to whether a home run screw (medial cuneiform to 2nd metatarsal base) combined with k-wire fixation of the 4th & 5th tarsometatarsal joints is sufficient to stabilise Lisfranc injuries or if fixation of the 1st and 3rd tarsometatarsal joints is also required. Unlike the 2nd, 4th and 5th tarsometatarsal joints, stabilisation of the 1st and 3rd requires either intra-articular screw or an extra-articular plate which risk causing chondrolysis and/or osteoarthritis.The aims of this cadaveric study were to determine if routine fixation of the 1st and 3rd tarsometatarsal joints is necessary and to determine if a distal to proximal home run screw is adequate.MethodsUsing 8 Theil-embalmed specimens, measurements of tarsometatarsal joint dorsal displacement at each ray (1st–5th) and 1st–2nd metatarsal gaping were made during simulated weight bearing with sequential ligamentous injury and stabilisation to determine the contribution of anatomical structures and fixation to stability.ResultsAt baseline, mean dorsal tarsometatarsal joint displacement of the intact specimens during simulated weight bearing (mm) was: 1st: 0.14, 2nd: 0.1, 3rd:0, 4th: 0, 5th: 0.14. The 1st–2nd intermetatarsal gap was 0 mm. After transection of the Lisfranc ligament only, there was 1st–2nd intermetatarsal gaping (mean 4.5 mm), but no increased dorsal displacement. After additional transection of all the tarsometatarsal joint ligaments, dorsal displacement increased at all joints (1st: 4.5, 2nd: 5.1, 3rd: 3.6, 4th: 2, 5th: 1.3). Stabilisation with the home run screw and 4th and 5th ray k-wires virtually eliminated all displacement. Further transection of the inter-metatarsal ligaments increased mean dorsal displacement of the 3rd ray to 2.5 mm. K-wire fixation of the 3rd ray completely eliminated dorsal displacement.ConclusionsThe results of this cadaveric study suggest that stabilising the medial cuneiform to the 2nd metatarsal base combined with stabilisation of the 4th and 5th tarsometatarsal joints with K-wires will stabilise the 1st and 3rd tarsometatarsal joints if the inter-metatarsal ligaments are intact. Thus 3rd TMTJ stability should be checked after stabilising the 2nd and 4/5th. Provided the intermetatarsal ligaments (3rd–4th) are intact, the 3rd ray does not need to be routinely stabilised.     

Treatment of Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fractures by external fixation associated with limited internal fixation

Objective： To explore the clinical effects of external fixation associated with limited internal fixation on treatment of Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fractures. Methods： From July 2006 to December 2008, 40 cases of Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fractures were emergently treated in our unit with external fixation frames. Soft tissue injuries were grouped according to the Gustilo classification as ⅢA in 17 cases, ⅢB in 13 cases, and ⅢC in 10 cases. All the patients were debrided within 8 hours, and then fracture reposition was preformed to reestablish the leg alignment. Limited internal fixation with plates and screws were performed on all the Gustilo IliA cases and 10 Gustilo ⅢB cases at the first operation. But all the Gustilo ⅢC cases and 3 Gustilo ⅢB cases who had severe soft tissue injuries and bone loss only received Vacuum-sealing drainage （VSD）. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were regularly used and VSD must be especially maintained easy and smooth for one week or more after operation. Limited internal fixation and transplanted free skin flaps or adjacent musculocutaneous flaps were not used to close wounds until the conditions of the wounds had been improved. Results： The first operations were completed within 90-210 minutes （170 minutes on average）. The blood trans- fusions were from 400 ml to 1500 ml （those used for antishock preoperatively not included）. All the 40 patients in this study were followed up for 6-28 months, 20.5 months on average. The lower limb function was evaluated according to the comprehensive evaluation standards of leg function one year after operation and the results of 28 cases were excellent, 9 were good and 3 were poor. Conclusion： External fixation associated with limited internal fixation to treat Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fractures can get satisfactory early clinical therapeutic effects.     

Pedicle versus laminar screws: what provides more suitable C2 fixation in congenital C2–3 fusion patients?

Patients with Klippel–Feil syndrome (KFS) have congenital fusions of at least 1 cervical motion segment, and often present with compensatory hypermobility or symptomatic stenosis of the cranio-vertebral junction which requires occipitocervical reconstruction and fusion. One subgroup of KFS patients in which this is particularly common is those with isolated C2–3 congenital fusion (C2–3 CF). The anatomic suitability for C2 pedicle and laminar screw placement had been analyzed in the general adult population, and guidelines for their techniques had been established. However, the feasibility and safety of the two techniques in KFS patients with congenital C2–3 fusion has not been reported. This radiographic study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of these two widely used methods in such patients. We recruited 108 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation and reconstructed CTs were performed. Among them, 53 had C2–C3 congenital fusion diagnosed as KFS and 55 had normal cervical segmentation (NCS). The maximum possible diameters and length were measured along the ideal screw trajectories. Both of mean diameters and lengths of the C2 laminar screw trajectory in the C2–3 CF group were significantly larger than that in NCS. Mean diameters of the C2 pedicle screw trajectory in this group were significantly smaller than that in NCS group, however, C2–3 CF patients had longer pedicle paths than NCS. In the C2–3 CF group, all 53 cases had suitable trajectory for C2 laminar screw, while 21 (39.6%) had a pedicle diameter less than 4.5 mm. In the NCS group, 5 cases (9.1%) had a pedicle diameter less than 4.5 mm. All 108 cases had sufficient diameters for C2 laminar screw placement. Klippel–Feil patients with C2–3 CF are good candidates for the technique of C2 laminar screw. Preoperative radiography should be carefully evaluated and the option of C2 fixation be determined with a thorough consideration in these patients.     

Syndesmotic screw fixation in Weber C ankle injuries--should the screw be removed before weight bearing?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of Weber C ankle fractures treated with syndesmotic screw fixation where the screw was removed prior to weight bearing against those where the screw was left in situ indefinitely. DESIGN: Retrospective observational analysis of a consecutive series. SETTING: Acute tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-three patients with ankle fractures and syndesmotic disruption were treated with open reduction, internal fixation, and syndesmotic stabilisation with a syndesmotic screw. Three patients defaulted follow-up after 1-3 months. In the remaining 30, the syndesmotic screw was removed prior to weight bearing in 23 patients and was left in situ in 7 patients. Mean follow-up was 15 months. METHODS: Assessment with subjective, objective, and radiographic criteria was used. Statistical analysis was performed with independent groups t-test and chi-square test. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between ankle scores, functional outcome or range of motion between the two groups. However, there was a significantly higher incidence of syndesmotic screw breakage and osteolysis in the group where screws were retained. CONCLUSIONS: Judicious fixation of Weber C type injuries with syndesmotic screw fixation allows for good functional outcome. Retaining of the syndesmotic screw on commencement of weight bearing seems to increase the risk of subsequent screw breakage. Removal of the screw prior to weight bearing should be performed to avoid such an eventuality.     

Sacrospinous ligament fixation for hysteropexy: does concomitant anterior and posterior fixation improve surgical outcome?

Introduction and hypothesis

Uterine preservation in uterine prolapse is an option for young patients. We hypothesized that sacrospinous hysteropexy (SSH) with anchorage to both the anterior and posterior cervix (SSH-ap) would have a better outcome than SSH with anchorage to the posterior cervix only (SSH-p).

Methods

This was a retrospective study including 75 patients who underwent SSH at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between March 2008 and August 2013. Five were excluded due to incomplete data. Of the remaining 70 patients, 35 underwent SSH-p between March 2008 and June 2011, and 35 underwent SSH-ap between June 2010 and August 2013. The primary outcome was the objective anatomical result, and a successful outcome was considered anatomical correction (POP-Q stage 1 or less) of anterior and apical prolapse. Subjective outcome was evaluated using the POPDI-6 questionnaire, and a patient response of “No or mild abdominal organ falling out sensation” together with “No or mild heaviness” was considered to indicate a successful outcome. Anterior fornix and cervical diameter measurements were included. The secondary outcome was quality of life according to the UDI-6, IIQ-7, POPDI-6, and PISQ-12 questionnaires. The 3-year outcome was used for comparison.

Results

The subjective overall cure rates were significantly different between the SSH-p and SSH-ap groups (74.3% and 94.3%, respectively; p = 0.023). However, the objective overall cure rates were not significantly different (74.3% and 82.9%, respectively).

Conclusion

Anchorage of the anterior cervix and vaginal wall together with the usual posterior anchorage yield better subjective outcomes and apical suspension at 3 years after surgery than anchorage of the posterior cervix and vaginal wall only. The cervix position affected the subjective outcome. Concurrent trachelectomy did not affect the outcome.

     

IgA肾病患者C1GALT1C1基因的体细胞突变筛查

目的 探讨IgA肾病（IgAN）患者β1,3半乳糖转移酶的分子伴侣Cosme编码基因C1GALT1C1基因体细胞突变情况。方法 27例IgA肾病患者及19例正常健康对照作为研究对象。提取研究对象外周血基因组DNA,扩增C1GALT1C1基因的编码区,采用PCR产物直接测序的方法进行突变筛查。然后,分离其中15例IgA肾病患者及7例健康男性对照的外周血B淋巴细胞,提取DNA。对C1GALT1C1基因编码区进行扩增,PCR产物进行克隆,各挑选平均8～10个克隆进行体细胞突变筛查。结果 46例个体全血基因组DNA的PCR扩增产物测序发现,2例患者及1例健康对照存在外显子T393A变异,次等位基因频率（MAF）为6．9%[SNP数据库（dbSNP）报告为9．5%]。B淋巴细胞DNA序列分析显示,在22例个体（15例IgA肾病患者,7例健康对照）送检的总共202个克隆中,未发现新的突变和多态性位点。结论 C1GALT1C1基因编码区T393A多态位点在本研究人群中为唯一发现的多态性位点,其次等位基因频率（MAF）较既往报道略低。本研究尚未发现IgA肾病患者B淋巴细胞存在体细胞突变。