Objective To retrospectively analyze the effectiveness of percutaneous anterior odontoid and transarticular screw fixation for type II odontoid fracture treated in the elderly patients. Methods Between October 2009 and March 2012, 5 patients with odontoid fracture were treated with anterior triple screws fixation. There were 4 males and 1 female with an average age of 69.4 years (range, 65-74 years). Fracture was caused by falling injury from height in all cases. The average time between injury and operation was 6.8 days (range, 3-12 days). According to Anderson-D’Alonzo classification system, all 5 cases were classified as type II odontoid fractures; 1 case accompanied by anterior arch fracture. Four cases were rated as grade E and 1 case as grade D on the basis of Frankel classification system on nerve function evaluation. Percutaneous anterior odontoid and transarticular screw fixation were used in all cases. The operation time, intra-operative blood loss, X-ray exposure time, and complications were recorded. The X-ray films were taken to observe atlantoaxial stability and implant conditions. Results All patients were successfully complete the surgery, and no open operation was needed. The average operation time was 103.6 minutes (range, 93-114 minutes). The average intra-operative blood loss was 5.6 mL (range, 3-10 mL). The average X-ray exposure time was 24.2 seconds (range, 17-32 seconds). Good reduction of atlantoaxial joint and primary healing of incision were obtained in 5 patients. The average follow-up duration was 21.4 months (range, 12-35 months). Transient dysphagia occurred in 3 cases, and was cured after 5 days of expectant treatment. No major complications of carotid artery laceration, spinal cord injury, esophageal perforation, airway obstruction, and implant failure occurred. The X-ray films showed odontoid bony union, atlantoaxial stability and good position of screws. The average time of odontoid fracture union was 7 months (range, 5-10 months). Five patients had normal neurological function (Frankel grade E) at last follow-up. Three patients complained of neck discomfort and movement limitation and had normal daily activities without special therapy; the other 2 patients had no clinical symptom of discomfort. Conclusion Percutaneous anterior odontoid and transarticular screw fixation is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of type II odontoid fractures in the elderly patients with minimally invasive surgical advantages.
Objective To investigate the cl inical results and complications of minimally invasive anterior transarticular screw fixation and fusion for atlantoaxial instabil ity. Methods Between May 2007 and December 2010, 13 patients with atlantoaxial instabil ity were treated with minimally invasive anterior transarticular screw fixation and fusion under endoscope. There were 11 males and 2 females, aged 17-61 years (mean, 41.3 years). The time between injury and operation was 5-14 days (mean, 7.4 days). All cases included 6 patients with Jefferson fracture, 5 with odontoid fracture, and 2 with os odontoideum. According to Frankel classification of nerve functions, 2 cases were rated as grade D and 11 cases as graed E. The operation time, intra-operative blood loss, radiation exposure time, and complications were recorded and analyzed. The stabil ity was observed by X-ray films. The cl inical outcome was assessed using the Frankel scale, and the fusion rates were determined by CT scan threedimensional reconstruction at last follow-up. Results The mean operation time was 124 minutes (range, 95-156 minutes); the mean intra-operative blood loss was 65 mL (range, 30-105 mL); and the mean radiation exposure time was 41 seconds (range, 30-64 seconds). Thirteen patients were followed up 12-47 months (mean, 25.9 months). No blood vessel and nerve injuries or internal fixator failure occurred. The bone fusion time was 6 months, and the dynamic cervical radiography showed no instabil ity occured. At last follow-up, the neurological function was grade E in all patients. The fusion rate was 84.6% (11/13). No continuous bone bridge was seen in the joint space of 2 patients, but they achieved stabil ity. Conclusion Minimally invasive anterior transarticular screw fixation and fusion is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of atlantoaxial instabil ity.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical results and complication prevention of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of single-segment severe lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).MethodsThe clinical data of 112 patients with severe LSS treated with MIS-TLIF between January 2010 and January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 43 males and 69 females, aged 52-81 years, with an average age of 65.3 years. The disease duration ranged from 4 to 126 months, with an average of 10.5 months. Clinical manifestations: 104 cases of low back pain, 91 cases of nervous intermittent claudication of both lower limbs, 21 cases of unilateral nerve root pain and/or numbness, and 5 cases of cauda equina nerve injury. The 112 cases were all severe central spinal stenosis, including 32 cases with lateral recess stenosis, 20 cases with foramen stenosis, 9 cases with ossification of ligamentum flavum, 38 cases with disc herniation; 14 cases with two complications and 5 cases with three. Stenosis segment: L3, 4 in 6 cases, L4, 5 in 89 cases, and L5, S1 in 17 cases. Surgical methods included bilateral decompression through bilateral approach (60 cases), bilateral decompression through unilateral approach (15 cases), and unilateral decompression (37 cases). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain and leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, fusion rate, and surgical complications were recorded. At last follow-up, the lumbar fusion was evaluated by Bridwell method, grades Ⅰ and Ⅱ were expressed as fusion.ResultsThe operation time was 83-186 minutes (mean, 126.8 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was 65-630 mL (mean, 163.1 mL). All the 112 patients were followed up 25-49 months, with an average of 35.1 months. The VAS score of low back pain and leg pain and ODI score at each time point after operation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the VAS score of low back pain and leg pain and ODI score at the other time points except 1 month after operation (P<0.05). At last follow-up, 2 cases of cauda equina nerve injury recovered and 3 cases partially recovered. According to Bridwell classification criteria, 58 cases were grade Ⅰ, 47 cases were grade Ⅱ, and 7 cases were grade Ⅲ. The fusion rate was 93.8%. Perioperative complications included 5 cases of incision complications (superficial infection in 3 cases, hematoma formation in 2 cases), 19 cases of internal fixator complications (intraoperative end plate fracture in 8 cases, fusion cage sinking in 11 cases at last follow-up), and 15 cases of neurological complications (dural sac tear in 10 cases, transient neurological symptoms of lower extremities aggravated in 5 cases). Conclusion MIS-TLIF treatment of single-level severe LSS can achieve good clinical results, while there is a risk of serious complications. Full understanding of the clinical and imaging features of the disease and reasonable and careful operation are helpful to control the occurrence of cauda equina nerve damage.