125. Does the upper instrumented vertebra or lower instrumented vertebra decision affect long-term outcomes after long segment posterior cervical fusion?

✓ Fifty consecutive patients requiring posterior cervical fusion for various pathologies were treated with Halifax interlaminar clamps for internal spinal fixation. Fusion involved the C1–2 level in 17 cases, the C1–3 level in one, and the lower cervical area (C2–7) in 32. No patient was lost to follow-up review, which varied from 6 to 40 months (average 21 months). Fusion failed in five patients, three at the C1–2 level, one at the C1–3 level, and one at the C2–3 level. Screw loosening was the cause of failure in four patients, and in one the arch of C-1 fractured. No other complications occurred. Because of the lack of complications, avoidance of the hazards of sublaminar instrumentation, and an excellent fusion rate, this technique is highly recommended for posterior cervical fusion in the lower cervical spine. Atlantoaxial arthrodesis was achieved in only 14 (82%) of 17 patients, however, which might be due to the higher mobility at this multiaxial level. Improved results in this region may be possible by using a new modified interlaminar clamp, by performing adequate bone fusions, and by postoperative external halo immobilization in high-risk patients.

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The radiological outcomes of one-stage posterior-only hemivertebra resection and short segmental fusion for lumbosacral hemivertebra: a minimum of 5 years of follow-up

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research ◽

10.1186/s13018-019-1482-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yu Wang ◽

Zhen Liu ◽

Changzhi Du ◽

Benlong Shi ◽

Xu Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Congenital Scoliosis ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Short Term ◽

One Stage ◽

Hemivertebra Resection ◽

Age At Surgery ◽

The Mean ◽

Upper Instrumented Vertebra

Abstract Background Previous studies have reported favorable short-term outcomes after posterior-only hemivertebra resection and short fusion in patients with LSHV. However, there is a paucity of data evaluating the long-term outcomes following this procedure. The aim of the study is to evaluate the radiological outcomes following posterior-only hemivertebra resection and short fusion for the treatment of congenital scoliosis (CS) secondary to lumbosacral hemivertebra (LSHV) with a minimum of a 5-year follow-up. Methods A total of 23 patients treated with one-stage posterior-only LSHV resection and short fusion with a minimum of a 5-year follow-up were reviewed. Radiographic parameters including the Cobb angles of the lumbosacral curve and compensatory curve, the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) tilt, and trunk shift were measured. The complications were recorded accordingly. Results The mean duration of follow-up was 88.6 ± 28.5 months, and the average age at surgery was 7.8 ± 3.5 years. Fusion levels averaged 3.0 ± 0.7 segments. The lumbosacral curve was corrected from 30.7 ± 10.4° to 6.7 ± 7.1° after surgery (P < 0.001), 7.3 ± 6.1° 2 years after surgery, and 8.1 ± 7.0° at the last follow-up. The compensatory curve was spontaneously corrected from 23.7 ± 9.4° before surgery to 8.3 ± 5.2° after surgery (P < 0.001). However, the angle slightly increased to 9.0 ± 4.8° 2 years after surgery and to 9.6 ± 6.4° at the last follow-up. Trunk shift was improved from 27.3 ± 8.6 mm before surgery to 11.7 ± 9.4 mm after surgery, and it decreased to 10.8 ± 8.2 mm 2 years after surgery and 10.4 ± 8.8 mm at the last follow-up. One patient experienced transient neurologic deficits after surgery. One patient was observed to have screw loosening at 1-year follow-up and received revision surgery. Conclusion One-stage posterior-only hemivertebra resection with short fusion is an effective procedure for LSHV, and the correction can be well maintained during longitudinal follow-up. Great attention should be paid to the restoration of lumbosacral horizontalization.

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Management of Odontoid Fractures

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/00006123-198210000-00001 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 471-476 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

Dennis J. Maiman ◽

Sanford J. Larson

Keyword(s):

Donor Site ◽

Odontoid Process ◽

The Body ◽

Cervical Fusion ◽

Odontoid Fractures ◽

Posterior Cervical Fusion ◽

Type 3

Abstract Fifty-one adults with odontoid fractures were treated between 1966 and 1979. Approximately 50% had additional trauma; over half of the patients were younger than 40 years old. Three patients presented with myelopathy: 1 was complete at C-2 and the others recovered. Cervical roentgenograms were initially considered normal in 4 patients. The fracture was through the base of the odontoid process (Type 2) in 49 patients and was into the body of C-2 (Type 3) in 2 patients. Thirty-four patients underwent early posterior cervical fusion, whereas the others were treated initially with external immobilization. Only the 2 patients with Type 3 fractures healed in Minerva casts. All 15 Type 2 fractures initially treated conservatively failed to heal and were fused. There were no age, sex, or radiological characteristics (other than fracture location) peculiar to the nonunton group. Two patients died after operation, and there was 1 minor infection in an iliac crest donor site. All patients who were operated upon demonstrated evidence of fusion within 6 weeks after operation; 16 demonstrated healing of the fracture at 6 months. After follow-up ranging from 16 months to 15 years, 7 patients complain of neck pain, of whom 6 do not require regular analgesics. Of 40 patients tested, 7 have evidence of decreased range of motion in the neck, of whom 6 have loss of less than 15% of normal motion. Traction followed by posterior cervical fusion is effective treatment for Type 2 odontoid fractures. The surgical and long term morbidity is low, and satisfactory fusion can be expected.

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Traumatic Brain Injury: A Trauma Surgeon's Perspective

Perspectives on Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders ◽

10.1044/nnsld22.3.82 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 82-89

Author(s):

Oscar D. Guillamondegui

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

Trauma Team ◽

The United States ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Term Care ◽

Injured Brain ◽

The Moment

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious epidemic in the United States. It affects patients of all ages, race, and socioeconomic status (SES). The current care of these patients typically manifests after sequelae have been identified after discharge from the hospital, long after the inciting event. The purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of identification and management of the TBI patient from the moment of injury through long-term care as a multidisciplinary approach. By promoting an awareness of the issues that develop around the acutely injured brain and linking them to long-term outcomes, the trauma team can initiate care early to alter the effect on the patient, family, and community. Hopefully, by describing the care afforded at a trauma center and by a multidisciplinary team, we can bring a better understanding to the armamentarium of methods utilized to treat the difficult population of TBI patients.

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