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.     

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。     

Extrusion of a screw into the gastrointestinal tract after anterior cervical spine plating

In this case report of a screw extrusion into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient 16 months after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), the authors describe a rare but potentially lethal complication and review the literature on this topic. A 70-year-old white man with a surgical history of ACDF at C3-4 underwent an ACDF at C5-6 with autologous bone graft and a dynamic plate using locking, expanding screws. Sixteen months after the operation the patient presented with severe dysphagia. Radiographic findings indicating pulling out of the implanted plate and screws prompted a surgical removal of the instrumentation. One of the screws was not found during the operation and was visualized after surgery by abdominal radiography in the right lower abdominal quadrant. A subsequent Gastrografin swallowing test revealed an esophageal tear. The screw was removed endoscopically and the patient received antibiotics and had no oral intake for 4 days. He was discharged without symptoms on a soft mechanical diet; at 24 weeks, follow-up revealed no changes or symptoms. Screw extrusion into the gastrointestinal tract following ACDF is a rare but potentially lethal complication. The use of locking, expanding screws does not extinguish the risk of this complication, particularly in cases of suboptimal initial placement of the anterior instrumentation. Close follow-up is of paramount importance in detecting any pull-out of the implanted plate. Any signs of postoperative dysphagia or throat soreness should prompt immediate evaluation of the patient and, if indicated, surgical removal of the failed instrumentation.     

Esophagus perforation complicating anterior cervical spine surgery

Purpose  

To study the diagnosis and treatment strategy of esophagus perforation complicating anterior cervical spine surgery.     

Esophageal perforation following anterior cervical spine surgery

The authors surveyed the Cervical Spine Research Society to compile a series of esophageal perforations following anterior cervical spine surgery. Twenty-two cases were assembled. Six occurred at the time of surgery, 6 in the postoperative period, and 10 weeks to months later. Eight surgeries were because of fracture. Hardware was implicated in 25% of cases occurring after surgery. Diagnosis was confirmed most often by direct vision at reexploration or esophography. Treatment usually consisted of drainage, repair, and parenteral antibiotics; 2 cases were successfully treated by enteral feeding and antibiotics alone. There was one fatality, and all patients required prolonged hospitalization. Cervical fracture and the use of hardware may be associated with this complication. Clinical suspicion and esophography are important diagnostic tools. Drainage and parenteral antibiotics are recommended treatment.     

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。     

The efficacy of anterior cervical plating in the management of symptomatic pseudoarthrosis of the cervical spine.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of 16 consecutive patients treated with anterior resection of the pseudoarthrosis, autogenous iliac crest bone grafting, and stabilization with an anterior cervical plate. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of anterior cervical plating used to manage symptomatic pseudoarthrosis of the cervical spine and obtain safe radiographic fusion and improved clinical results. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: It is generally recognized that the clinical outcome of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion correlates with rates of fusion. There is debate in the literature as to how the patient with symptomatic cervical pseudoarthrosis should be addressed. Recent reports would support a posterior approach rather than a revision anterior approach. METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients with symptomatic pseudoarthrosis of the cervical spine were treated with anterior resection of the pseudoarthrosis, autogenous iliac crest bone grafting, and stabilization with an anterior cervical plate. The average follow-up period was 51 months, and patients were assessed using physical examinations, questionnaires, and flexion-extension lateral radiographs. RESULTS: In all, 75% of the patients reported improvement of their symptoms, and 69% of patients returned to work. Fusions were graded I or II in 81% of the patients. No patient demonstrated radiographic instability, and none required revision surgery. Involvement with workers' compensation litigation negatively affected the clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in whom symptomatic cervical pseudoarthrosis develops after cervical anterior discectomy and fusion may be managed successfully with anterior resection of the pseudoarthrosis, autogenous bone grafting, and an anterior cervical plate. Successful clinical results regarding return to work status and general satisfaction with the surgical procedure depend not only on obtaining a successful radiographic fusion, but also on patient selection.     

Oesophageal perforation after anterior cervical surgery: management in four patients

Background  Oesophageal perforation related to anterior cervical surgery is an uncommon but well recognised and potentially life-threatening complication with an incidence of 0–3.4%. Our experience with this complication and a review of the literature are presented. Method  We retrospectively reviewed our clinical experience over 10 years and found four patients in whom an oesophageal perforation was recognised after anterior surgery for cervical spine trauma. In three patients the perforation was noticed in the early post-operative period and the other had a delayed presentation. In all patients, the hardware was removed, long-term intravenous antibiotics were administered and parenteral nutrition was instituted. In two patients a primary suture of the perforation was performed and in one of these an additional sternocleidomastoid myoplasty was carried out as well. One patient had conservative treatment and one died before closure of the perforation could be performed. Findings  The two patients, in whom surgical repair of the perforation was performed, recovered well with residual neurological deficits as expected due to the cervical trauma. In the patient in whom conservative treatment was instituted, healing of the perforation occurred. One patient died due to systemic complications, indirectly related to the perforation. Conclusions  Although not very frequent and sometimes difficult to diagnose, oesophageal perforations after anterior cervical surgery constitute a potentially life-threatening complication. Diagnosis is made by imaging or endoscopic studies, but clinical suspicion is most important. Basic treatment consists of surgery with removal of hardware, drainage of abscesses, primary closure of the perforation if possible, parenteral nutrition and antibiotic therapy. Residual instability should be recognised in time and may be anticipated in patients in whom there has been little time for solid bony fusion. Successful management depends on early diagnosis and immediate institution of treatment.     

Tracheostomy after anterior cervical spine fixation

BACKGROUND: Patients with cervical spine injury may require both anterior cervical spine fusion and tracheostomy, particularly in the setting of associated cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite the close proximity of the two surgical incisions, we postulated that tracheostomy could be safely performed after anterior spine fixation. In addition, we postulated that the severity of motor deficits in patients with cervical spine injury would correlate with the need for tracheostomy. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of all adult trauma patients diagnosed with cervical spine fractures or cervical SCI admitted between June 1996 and June 2001 at our university Level I trauma center. Demographic data, severity of neurologic injury based on the classification of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), complications, and use and type of tracheostomy were collected. In the subgroup of patients with unstable cervical spine injury that underwent anterior stabilization and tracheostomy, data regarding timing and technique of these procedures and wound outcomes were also collected. Categorical data were analyzed using chi analysis using Yates correction when appropriate, with p <0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: During this time period, 275 adult survivors were diagnosed with cervical spinal cord or bony injury. Forty-five percent of patients with SCI (27 of 60) and 14% of patients without SCI (30 of 215) underwent tracheostomy (p <0.001). Moreover, on the basis of the ASIA classification system, 76% of ASIA A and B patients, 38% of ASIA C patients, 23% of ASIA D patients, and 14% of ASIA E patients were treated with tracheostomy (p <0.001). In the subgroup that underwent both anterior spine fixation and tracheostomy (n=17), the median time interval from spine fixation to airway placement was 7 days (interquartile range, 6-10 days), with 71% of these tracheostomies performed percutaneously. No patient developed a wound infection or nonunion as a consequence of tracheostomy placement, and there were no deaths because of complications of either procedure. CONCLUSION: These data support the safety of tracheostomy insertion 6 to 10 days after anterior cervical spine fixation, particularly in the presence of cervical SCI. The presence of severe motor neurologic deficits was strongly associated with the use of tracheostomy in patients with cervical spine injury. Percutaneous tracheostomy, which is our technique of choice, may be advantageous in this setting by virtue of creating only a small wound. The optimal timing and use of tracheostomy in patients with cervical spine injury requires further study.     

Fusion rate of anterior cervical plating after corpectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the neurological recovery and fusion rate of patients with myelopathy who were treated with anterior corpectomy and anterior cervical plating. METHODS: The results of 17 cervical myelopathy patients who underwent decompression and anterior cervical plating were retrospectively reviewed at a mean follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS: By Kurokawa score, 82.4% of patients showed excellent-to-good results. The fusion rates of 2-level and 3-level anterior cervical corpectomy, and of anterior plate fixation were 100%. There were no implant- or graft-related complications. Transient dysphagia in 9 (52.9%) patients resolved after a mean of 3 months (range, 1-9 months). CONCLUSION: The use of anterior cervical plating after anterior corpectomy and fusion with autologous bone graft greatly enhances arthrodesis. The improved fusion rate and low complication rate associated with anterior cervical plating may justify its use in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.     

Management of delayed oesophagus perforation and osteomyelitis after cervical spine surgery: review of the literature

Oesophagus perforation is a possible complication of anterior cervical spine surgery, which generally occurs during the first postoperative days. Delayed perforation is very rare and its management remains controversial. We report the successful management of a delayed oesophagus perforation associated with an osteomyelitis.     

Biomechanical evaluation of cervical spine fixation after healing in a destabilized cervical spine model in sheep: a comparison of the anterior plating and posterior wiring techniques

BACKGROUND: We conducted biomechanical evaluation of the anterior plating and posterior wiring techniques for cervical spine stabilization after a course of healing in sheep. METHODS: Seventeen sheep were included, and six of which underwent sham operations (group A, n=6). The other eleven received complete C2-C3 destabilization, followed by intervertebral bone grafting and cervical stabilization either with anterior plating (group B, n=5) or posterior wiring (group C, n=6) techniques. These animals were killed 6 months later. Ligamentous spines (C1-C5) were subjected to the relevantly applied loads. The load-deformation data of the C2-C3 and C3-C4 functional units were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: At the C2-C3 functional unit, group B had the least motion ranges in flexion, lateral bending, and rotation loads than did the other two groups. Significantly smaller motion ranges of lateral bending and rotation loads were found in group B than in group C (p<0.05). Compared with group A, group C had a decreased motion range in flexion load but showed increased motion range in rotation load. Consequently, group B had superior intervertebral fusion and less osteophyte than did group C. At the C3-C4 functional unit, group B showed significantly decreased motion ranges in extension and lateral bending loads (p<0.05), while group C did not. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the anterior plate-stabilized spines were more stable over time than did the posterior-wired spines. This biomechanical advantage eventually resulted in superior intervertebral fusion masses in the former, although it also induced a slightly decreased motion range at the contiguous functional unit. In exclusively posterior wired-spines, the weakness for opposing rotation loads might contribute to the formation of osteophytes at the fusion functional unit. These data point out that the mode and stability of implant fixation systems greatly influence the biomechanical redistribution and bone-adaptive remodeling process during healing, which are closely related to the bone graft maturation and osteophytic formations at the fusion level and the occurrence of stiffening problems at the contiguous levels.     

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.     

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.