OBJECTIVETo explore pedicle screw implantation for fracture-dislocation injuries at cervicothoracic junction (C6-T2).

METHODSPedicle screw implantation was used for twenty-six patients with cervicothoracic fracture-dislocation from May 2001 to Jan 2008. There were 17 males and 9 females with an average of 48.5 years (range,20 to 75 years). Single posterior pedicle screw fixation was performed for 17 cases, and posterior screw fixation combined with anterior reduction and plate fixation for the other nine. The accuracy of the pedicle screws were evaluated by CT views after surgery. Complications and neurological recovery were also recorded after the procedures.

RESULTSAll subjects were followed up from 3 to 74 months with average 36.5 months. Four cases of complete paraplegia died of cardiovascular or pulmonary failure within half a year after surgery. There were 104 pedicle screws implanted totallythe including 74 pedicle screws in cervical vertebrae, 16 at C5, 16 at C6, 42 at C7, and 30 pedicle screws in upper thoracic vertebrae,in which 22 at T1, 8 at T2. No injury of spinal cord, nerve roots and vertebral artery was found during operation. Eleven screws (14.9%) were perforated out of the pedicles in cervical spine, in which 7(9.5%) through lateral cortex, 1 (1.4%) through the superior and 3 (4.1%) through the inferior. Three screws (10%) were perforated in upper thoracic spine, in which 2 (6.7%) by lateral cortex and 1(3.3%) by the medial (within 2 mm). Bony fusion was achieved for all cases and all internal fixator was good except 1 screw broken at C5. JOA score increased from preoperative (7.5 +/- 2.0) to postoperative (14.5 +/- 2.3) evaluated in 6 months after operation,with statistic difference (t = 6.34, P < 0.05). Neurological improvement was gotten in all patients according to ASIA classification but three cases who suffered from complete neurological injuries.

CONCLUSIONImplantation of pedicle screws at cervicothoracic junction can be safe and reliable if the urgeonis familiar with the local anatomy of cervicothoracic spine, and the technique for implantation of the screws. Related radiological parameters should be measured for each subject before the operation in attempt to get a therapy individually.