Journal of neurosurgery. Spine
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Despite the growing use of multimodal intraoperative monitoring (IOM) in cervical spinal surgery, limited data exist regarding the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of such a technique in detecting new neurological deficits in this setting. The authors sought to define the incidence of significant intraoperative electrophysiological changes and new postoperative neurological deficits in a cohort of patients undergoing cervical surgery. ⋯ Combined neurophysiological IOM with EMG and SSEP recording and the selective use of MEPs is helpful for predicting and possibly preventing neurological injury during cervical spine surgery.
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The objective in this study was to compare retrospectively the use of different operating tables with different positions for posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and the effect on intraoperative and postoperative lumbar lordosis and segmental lordosis. ⋯ Intraoperative position does not affect postoperative total lumbar lordosis and segmental lordosis in short-segment PLIF of the lumbar spine in a retrospective analysis of the surgical procedure to maintain lordosis.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Stabilization of the atlantoaxial complex via C-1 lateral mass and C-2 pedicle screw fixation in a multicenter clinical experience in 102 patients: modification of the Harms and Goel techniques.
Stabilization of the atlantoaxial complex has proven to be very challenging. Because of the high mobility of the C1-2 motion segment, fusion rates at this level have been substantially lower than those at the subaxial spine. The set of potential surgical interventions is limited by the anatomy of this region. In 2001 Jürgen Harms described a novel technique for individual fixation of the C-1 lateral mass and the C-2 pedicle by using polyaxial screws and rods. This method has been shown to confer excellent stability in biomechanical studies. Cadaveric and radiographic analyses have indicated that it is safe with respect to osseous and vascular anatomy. Clinical outcome studies and fusion rates have been limited to small case series thus far. The authors reviewed the multicenter experience with 102 patients undergoing C1-2 fusion via the polyaxial screw/rod technique. They also describe a modification to the Harms technique. ⋯ Fusion of C1-2 according to the Harms technique is a safe and effective treatment modality. It is suitable for a wide variety of fracture patterns, congenital abnormalities, or other causes of atlantoaxial instability. Modification of the Harms technique with distraction and placement of an allograft spacer in the joint space may restore C1-2 height and enhance radiographic detection of fusion by demonstrating a graft-bone interface on plain x-ray films, which is easier to visualize than the C1-2 joint.
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The current study evaluates the incidence of anatomical variations of the V(3) segment of the vertebral artery (VA) and the posterior arch of the atlas (C-1). Failure to appreciate these types of anatomical variations can cause catastrophic injury to the VA during posterior approaches to the upper cervical spine. ⋯ The shape of the C-1 posterior arch and the third segment of the VA are heterogeneous. Therefore, preoperative radiological studies should be performed to identify any anatomical variations. Using preoperative 3D CT angiography, we can precisely identify an anomalous VA and significantly reduce the risk of VA injury.
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Recurrent kyphosis has been commonly seen after posterior short-segment pedicle instrumentation for a thoracolumbar fracture, but studies on this issue are relatively scarce, and the clinical significance of recurrent deformity is uncertain. No study has addressed the associations between the reduction of a burst fracture vertebra and the final recurrent kyphosis after implant removal. The aim of this study was to investigate the recurrent kyphosis after short-segment pedicle screw fixation in thoracolumbar burst fractures and to evaluate the effect of the degree of a vertebral reduction on the recurrent kyphotic deformity after implant removal. ⋯ Given that the correction loss occurs primarily through disc space collapse, the amount of the final kyphotic deformity was predictable by the degree of the fractured vertebral reduction as seen on the lateral x-ray study. Surgeons who perform posterior reduction and fixation procedures should pay more attention to reducing the fractured vertebral wedge angle to its intact condition, rather than the segmental angular parameters. If the wedge angle of the fractured VB is unacceptable after reduction, additional reconstruction of the anterior column may be necessary.