OBJECTIVE: To investigate surgical reconstruction of stability of lower cervical spine in children suffering trauma, tuberculosis and tumor. METHODS: From January 1998 to September 2001, 8 cases of unstable lower cervical spine were treated by operations, of anterior decompression, massive iliac bone grafting, posterior fixation with spinous process tension band wiring, and fusion with heterogeneous iliac bone grafting. RESULTS: With an average following up of 1 year and 9 months (6 months to 4 years and 3 months), 3 cases recovered excellently, 4 cases recovered well and 1 case died of pulmonary infection. CONCLUSION: The above results indicate that anterior decompression, massive iliac bone grafting, posterior fixation with spinous process tension band wiring and fusion with heterogeneous iliac bone grafting can be used as one of the methods to reconstruct the stability of lower cervical spine in children.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of Halo-vest in treatment of unstable upper cervical spine. Methods From March 1997 to October 2002, 16 cases of unstable upper cervical spineswere treated and immobilized by Halovest, aged from 14 to 53 years. There were 3 cases of isolated Jefferson fractures, 4 cases of isolated Hangman fractures and 1 case of Anderson type Ⅱ fracture. The 8 cases were immobilized for 3-4 months by Halovest. There were 3 cases of old odontoid fractures with dislocations treated by occipitocervical plate fixation and fusion, 1 case of C1 malignant tumor by posterior resection and internal fixation, 2 cases of C2 malignant tumor by anterior resection, fusion, and internal fixation; these cases were immobilized by Halo-vest during surgery. There were 1 case of C2,3 tuberculosis were treated by anterior debridement and fusion, and 1 case of gooseneck deformity by anterior decompression, fusion and screw fixation after resection of C2-7 , the 2 cases were immobilized for 3 months by Halo-vest.Of 16 cases, there were 8 cases accompanied with spinal cord syndrome. Results Fifteen cases were followed up 6 months to 5 years. Anterior arch ununion and posteriorarch osseous healing occurred in 1 case of Jefferson fracture. Other fractures and embedded bones became osseous fusion. One case of C2 malignant tumorrecurred 8 months after operation. Spinal cord syndrome of all patients disappeared. Conclusion Halo-vest immobilization is an effective method for conservative treatment and stable reconstruction of unstable upper cervical spine.
ObjectiveTo introduce and interpret ABCD classification system for subaxial cervical spine injury. MethodsThe literature related to subaxial cervical spine injury classification system was extensively reviewed, analyzed, and summarized so as to introduce the ABCD classification system. ResultsThe ABCD classification system for subaxial cervical spine injury consists of 3 parts. The first part of the proposed classification is an anatomical descri ption of the injury; it del ivers the information whether injury is bony, ligamentous, or a combined one. The second part is the classification of nerve function, spinal stenosis, and spinal instabil ity. The last part is optional and denotes radiological examination which is used to define injury type. Several letters have been used for simplicity to del iver the largest amount of information. And a treatment algorithm based on the proposed classification is suggested. ConclusionThe ABCD classification system is proposed for simplification. However further evaluation of this classification is needed.
With the continuous deepening of the practice related to the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery, patients with cervical spondylosis have higher expectations and requirements for postoperative rehabilitation. In order to improve the rehabilitation of patients with cervical spondylosis, and increase patient satisfaction, the orthopedics team of West China Hospital of Sichuan University has formulated a program for early ambulation after anterior cervical spine surgery based on the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery. This article introduces the program from the definition, background, feasibility, significance, and specific content of early ambulation for patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery, and aims to provide experience and reference for future clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of one-stage total spondylectomy by anterior and posterior approaches for treating solitary plasmacytoma (SP) of cervical spine.MethodsBetween June 2000 and March 2015, the clinical data, diagnosis, and treatment of 12 patients with SP of cervical spine were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 4 females, with a mean age of 46 years (range, 28-74 years). The mean disease duration was 8.4 months (range, 3-15 months). There were 2 cases in C2 segment, 4 cases in C3, 2 cases in C4, 1 recurrent case in C5, C6, and 3 cases in C7. According to WBB (Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini) surgical staging system, the tumor mainly occupied the vertebral body areas and expanded outside to 4 or 9 radiating zone in 8 cases, expanded both outsides to 4 or 9 radiating zones in 4 cases; 7 cases of them affected A to D layers, other 5 cases affected B to D layers. Preoperative Frankel system showed grade B in 1 case, grade C in 6 cases, and grade D in 5 cases. One vertebra segment was involved in 11 cases, and 2 vertebra segments were involved in 1 case. The unilateral vertebral artery was involved in 4 cases and bilateral vertebral artery in 1 case. One-stage total spondylectomy by anterior and posterior approaches for SP of cervical spine was applied in all patients, which all received adjuvant radiotherapy postoperatively. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications, Frankel system, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were recorded and analyzed.ResultsThe operation time was 6.8-9.3 hours (mean, 7.2 hours), and the intraoperative blood loss was 1 100-2 600 mL (mean, 1 600 mL). Esophageal leakage occurred in 1 patient with C5, C6 recurrent SP at 1 week after operation and 1 case presented with fat liquefaction of wound, who were cured by symptomatic treatment. Other patients showed no neurological deficit, major vascular injury (especially vertebral artery), phrenic nerve injury, superior laryngeal nerve injury, laryngeal nerve injury, respiratory failure, or other complications. All the 12 patients were followed up 27-98 months (mean, 58 months). The symptoms of spinal cord compression disappeared or improved after operation. At last follow-up, the nerve function was recovered to Frankel grade E in all patients; the VAS score decrease to 1.1±0.7, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (6.7±2.7) (t=2.485, P=0.014). Two patients had local recurrence at 29 months and 37 months after operation respectively, which were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. One of them finally progressed to multiple myeloma and died of multiple organ failure after 43 months, the other one survived with residual tumor. One case presented with internal fixator loosening and breaking at 4 years after operation, who was performed revision surgery. The other patients had no tumor recurrence or malignant change during the follow-up, no complication such as internal fixator loosening or breaking occurred.ConclusionFor patients with SP of cervical spine, surgical intervention is an acceptable treatment option. One-stage total spondylectomy by anterior and posterior approaches can decline the local recurrence and relieve the symptoms of spinal cord compression, so as to improve patients’ life quality. However, patients with progression to multiple myeloma should be treated with individualized therapeutic regimen, and the prognosis may be poor.
Objective To study operative methods of treating upper cervical spine instability without injury. Methods Twentythree cases were treated by internal fixation with autologous bone grafts. Atlantoaxial arthrodesis were performed in 10 cases with Apofix interlaminar clamp(5 cases), Atlas cable system(3 cases) and Brookes(2 cases). Occipitocervical fusion were performed in the other 13 cases by using of CD-cervical(3 cases), Cervifix(8 cases) and Ustick fixation(2cases). Results All the 23 cases were followed up for 2.5 years in average (ranged from 6 months to 5 years). Solid arthrodesis was obtained in all 23 cases . Six months after operation, of the 20 cases with preoperation nervous lesion, improvement was achieved in 16 cases. According to JOA standard and Hirabashiformula,the rate of improvement was 27.1%.Conclusion Posterior fusion is recommended for upper cervical unstability.
In order to check the neck response and injury during motor vehicle accidents, we developed a detailed finite element model for human cervical spine C4-C6. This model consisted of cortical bone, cancellous bone, annulus, nucleus, ligaments and articular facet, and it also set up contact in the contacting parts for simulating the movement perfectly under frontal impact. This model could be used for stress and strain distribution after the frontal impact load was applied on this model. During the process of frontal impact, the most displacement simulated data were in the interval range of experimental data. The experimental results showed that this model for the human cervical spine C4-C6 simulated the movement under the frontal impact with fidelity, and reflected the impact dynamics response on the whole.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of modified recapping laminoplasty preserving the continuity of supraspinous ligament in the treatment of intraspinal benign tumors in upper cervical vertebrae and its influence on the stability of the cervical vertebrae. MethodsThe clinical data of 13 patients with intraspinal benign tumors in upper cervical vertebrae treated between January 2012 and January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 8 females, the age ranged from 21 to 78 years, with an average of 47.3 years. The disease duration ranged from 6 to 53 months, with an average of 32.5 months. The tumors located between C1 and C2. Postoperative pathology showed 6 cases of schwannoma, 3 cases of meningioma, 1 case of gangliocytoma, 2 cases of neurofibroma, and 1 case of hemangioblastoma. During operation the continuity of the supraspinal ligament were retained, the lamina ligament complex was lifted to expose the spinal canal via the approach of the outer edge of the bilateral lamina, and the lamina was fixed after the resection of the intraspinal tumors. Before and after operation, the atlantodental interval (ADI) was measured on three-dimensional CT; the effectiveness was evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, the neck dysfunction index (NDI) was used to evaluate the cervical function, and the total rotation of the cervical spine was recorded. Results The operation time was 117-226 minutes (mean, 127.3 minutes); the intraoperative blood loss was 190-890 mL (mean, 227.8 mL). The tumors were completely removed in all patients. There was no vertebral artery injury, aggravation of neurological dysfunction, epidural hematoma, infection, or other related complications. Two patients occurred cerebrospinal fluid leakage after operation, which were healed through electrolyte supplement and local pressure treatment of incision. All the patients were followed up 14-37 months, with an average of 16.9 months. Imaging examination showed no recurrence of tumor, displacement of vertebral lamina, loosening and displacement of internal fixator, and secondary reduction of vertebral canal volume. At last follow-up, JOA score significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05). Among them, 8 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and 2 cases were medium, with an excellent and good rate was 84.6%. There was no significant difference in ADI, total rotation of the cervical spine, and NDI between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05). ConclusionThe treatment of intraspinal benign tumors in upper cervical vertebrae with modified recapping laminoplasty preserving the continuity of the supraspinous ligament can restore the normal anatomical structure of the spinal canal and maintain the stability of the cervical spine.
A comprehensive, geometrically accurate, nonlinear C0-T1 three-dimensional finite element (FE) model was developed for the biomechanical study of human cervical spine and related disorders. The model was developed with anatomic detail from the computed tomography (CT) images of a 46-year old female healthy volunteer, and applied the finite element model processing softwares such as MIMICS13.1, Hypermesh11.0, Abaqus 6.12-1, etc., for developing, preprocessing, calculating and analysing sequentially. The stress concentration region and the range of motion (ROM) of each vertebral level under axial rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending under physiologic static loadings were observed and recorded. The model was proven reliable, which was validated with the range of motion in previous published literatures. The model predicted the front and side parts of the foramen magnum and contralateral pedicle and facet was the stress concentration region under physiological loads of the upper spine and the lower spine, respectively. The development of this comprehensive, geometrically accurate, nonlinear cervical spine FE model could provide an ideal platform for theoretical biomechanical study of human cervical spine and related disorders.
Objective To compare the biomechanical properties of the anterior transpedicular screw-artificial vertebral body (AVB) and conventional anterior screw plate system (AP) in lower cervical spine by finite element study. Methods CT images (C1-T1) were obtained from a 38-year-old female volunteer. The models of intact C3-7 (intact group), AP fixation (AP group), and AVB fixation (AVB group) were established and analyzed by Mimics 14.0, Geomagic Studio 2013, and ANSYS 14.0 softwares. The axial force of 74 N and moment couple of 1 N·m were loaded on the upper surface and upper facet joint surfaces of C3. Under conditions of flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation, the Von Mises stress distribution regularity and maximum equivalent stree of AP and AVB groups were recorded, and the range of motion (ROM) was also analyzed of 3 groups. Results The intact model of lower cervical spine (C3-7) was established, consisting of 286 382 elements and 414 522 nodes, and it was successfully validated with the previously reported cadaveric experimental data of Panjabi and Kallemeyn. The stress concentrated on the connection between plate and screw in AP group, while it distributed evenly in AVB group. Between AP and AVB groups, there was significant difference in maximum equivalent stress values under conditions of 74 N axial force, flexion, extension, and rotation. AVB group had smaller ROM of fixed segments and larger ROM of adjacent segments than AP group. Compared with intact group, whole ROM of the lower cervical spine decreased about 3°, but ROM of C3, 4 and C6, 7 segments increased nearly 5° in both AP and AVB groups. Conclusion As a new reconstruction method of lower cervical spine, AVB fixation provides better stability and lower risk of failure than AP fixation.