Free-hand cervical pedicle screw fixation for upper cervical fracture and instability
10.3760/cma.j.issn.1001-8050.2011.02.004
- VernacularTitle:"徒手法"个体化颈椎椎弓根螺钉技术治疗上颈椎骨折脱位
- Author:
Yue HAN
;
Qun XIA
;
Baoshan XU
;
Jidong ZHANG
;
Jun MIAO
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Cervical vertebrae;
Spinal fractures;
Dislocations
- From:
Chinese Journal of Trauma
2011;27(2):110-114
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of the free-hand cervical pedicle screw fixation in treatment of the upper cervical fracture and instability.Methods A retrospective review was performed on 15 patients with upper cervical fracture and instability treated with cervical pedicle screw fixation and fusion from September 2006 to January 2009.There were 11 males and 4 females,at average age of 41.2 years(range,18-60 years).Of all,there were five patients with atlas fracture and dislocation(including three simple anterior arch fractures and two Jefferson fractures),three with axis fracture and dislocation,one with dens fractures plus nonunion,two with C2,3 fracture and dislocation and four with atlantoaxial instability without fracture.The main clinical complaints included local neck pain and/or tetraplegia.Halo traction was recommended to restore the cervical sequence preoperatively in all patients.All 15 patients were treated by cervical pedicle screw-rods internal fixation and bone graft fusion.During the operation,the point and angle of the implanted pedicle screws were determined by preoperative X-ray and CT scan and the bony channel drilled with free-hand before implantation of the Summit or Vertex pedicle screws(22-26 mm long)and posterior interlaminar autologous or allogeneic bone fusion.Patients could get out of bed with neck collar at days 1-2 after operation.Results A total of 64 cervical pedicle screws were implanted in all 15 patients,with no vertebral artery injury,spinal cord injury or cerebrospinal fluid leakage.Postoperative X-ray and CT scan confirmed satisfactory internal fixation.The clinical symptoms were improved significantly.Fourteen patients were followed up for 12-36 months,which showed bony fusion,with no looseness or breakage of the screws.Neurologic impairment was improved in all patients,with no complications associated with the cervical pedicle screw.Conclusions Cervical pedicle screw internal fixation can reestablish the upper cervical vertebrae stability and help to recover the spinal cord and nerve function and hence is a reliable method for upper cervical fracture and/or instability.
