Cervical Fusion with Conventional Plate and Screw Using the Technique of Purchasing Near Cortex
10.4055/jkoa.1995.30.6.1656
- Author:
Jin Man WANG
;
Kwon Jae ROH
;
Dong Jun KIM
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cervical spine;
Anterior fusion;
Conventional plate;
Screw purchasing
- MeSH:
Early Ambulation;
Humans;
Incidence;
Nursing;
Rehabilitation;
Spine;
Transplants
- From:The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
1995;30(6):1656-1661
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Anterior plate fixation of the cervical spine enhance anterior grafting technique and provide good primary stability to allow early mobilization without significant external support. This facilitastes nursing and shortens rehabilitation time. Although these advantages, the screw technique is risky and time-consuming since purchasing of posterior cortex is needed for obtatining maximum stability. The authors have tried to a technique of purchasing only near cortex. The objectives of this study were review of the result of this technique and the determining the factor influencing screw loosening. One hundred and five screws used in twenty-one patients for conventional cervical plate fixation from September 1990 to February 1994 were reviewed. Average age was forty-two years old ranged from nineteen to sixty-five. Patients with trauma were six and degenerative diseases were fifteen. Two screws were inserted in C3 bodies, ten in C4, thirty-two in C5, thirty-four in C6, ten in C7, two in Tl and fifteen in grafted bone. Twenty-four screws(16%) in six patients(28.6%) were loosened. Usually the first loosening was noted at about one month after operation. The incidence of loosening was significantly higher in lower cervical region(p < 0.001) and older age(p < 0.05). The disease entity or sex were not significant factor. This technique showed high rate of screw loosening especially in older age group or lower cervical lesion. We think the indication of this technique should be limited in young patient with upper cervical lesion.
