Occipitocervical fusion with rigid internal fixation: long-term follow-up data in 69 patients

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russ P. Nockels ◽  
Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽  
Adam S. Kanter ◽  
Syed Azeem ◽  
Julie E. York
Keyword(s):  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Posterior Instrumentation ◽  
Basilar Invagination ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Occipitocervical Fusion ◽  
Rigid Internal Fixation ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Diverse Patient Population

Object. Instability of the occipitocervical junction may result from degenerative disease, infection, tumor, and trauma. Surgical stabilization involving screw fixation and rigid implants has been found to be biomechanically superior to wire-based implants. To evaluate the long-term results in a large and diverse patient population, the authors prospectively studied a consecutive group of 69 patients. Methods. All patients underwent occipitocervical fusion in which rigid posterior instrumentation included either plates or rods and screws. Patients ranged in age from 11 to 90 years (mean 51.4 years); there were 34 female and 35 male patients. The mean follow-up duration was 37 months (range 6–66 months). Fifty-seven (83%) of the 69 patients had long-standing occipitocervical anomalies, whereas the remainder presented with acute instability. Basilar invagination was present in 20 patients. Results. Correction of a severe cervical kyphotic deformity was accomplished in six patients. There were no fatalities or medical complications associated with the procedures. During the follow-up period, 87% of the patients exhibited improvement in their myelopathic symptoms; in 13% the symptoms were unchanged. Complications were minimal. Stability was demonstrated on flexion/extension studies in all cases. There were no treatment-related deaths, although four patients died within the follow-up period, all due to progression of metastatic disease. Conclusions. The authors found that rigid internal fixation of the occipitocervical complex was safe, effective, and technically possible for spine surgeons familiar with occipital bone anatomy and lateral mass fixation.

Long-term growth and alignment after occipitocervical and atlantoaxial fusion with rigid internal fixation in young children

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin C. Kennedy ◽  
Randy S. D’Amico ◽  
Brett E. Youngerman ◽  
Michael M. McDowell ◽  
Kristopher G. Hooten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Fusion Construct ◽  
Rigid Internal Fixation ◽  
Vertical Growth

OBJECT The long-term consequences of atlantoaxial (AA) and occipitocervical (OC) fusion and instrumentation in young children are unknown. Anecdotal reports have raised concerns regarding altered growth and alignment of the cervical spine after surgical intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term effects of these surgeries on the growth and alignment of the maturing spine. METHODS A multiinstitutional retrospective chart review was conducted for patients less than or equal to 6 years of age who underwent OC or AA fusion with rigid instrumentation at 9 participating centers. All patients had at least 3 years of clinical and radiographic follow-up data and radiographically confirmed fusion. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and most recent follow-up radiographs and/or CT scans were evaluated to assess changes in spinal growth and alignment. RESULTS Forty children (9 who underwent AA fusion and 31 who underwent OC fusion) were included in the study (mean follow-up duration 56 months). The mean vertical growth over the fused levels in the AA fusion patients represented 30% of the growth of the cervical spine (range 10%–50%). Three different vertical growth patterns of the fusion construct developed among the 31 OC fusion patients during the follow-up period: 1) 16 patients had substantial growth (13%–46% of the total growth of the cervical spine); 2) 9 patients had no meaningful growth; and 3) 6 patients, most of whom presented with a distracted atlantooccipital dislocation, had a decrease in the height of the fused levels (range 7–23 mm). Regarding spinal alignment, 85% (34/40) of the patients had good alignment at follow-up, with straight or mildly lordotic cervical curvatures. In 1 AA fusion patient (11%) and 5 OC fusion patients (16%), we observed new hyperlordosis (range 43°–62°). There were no cases of new kyphosis or swan-neck deformity, evidence of subaxial instability, or unintended subaxial fusion. No preoperative predictors of these growth patterns or alignment were evident. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that most young children undergoing AA and OC fusion with rigid internal fixation continue to have good cervical alignment and continued growth within the fused levels during a prolonged follow-up period. However, some variability in vertical growth and alignment exists, highlighting the need to continue close long-term follow-up.

Long-term outcome in 132 consecutive patients after posterior internal fixation and fusion for Grade I and II isthmic spondylolisthesis

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Wenger ◽  
Nicola Sapio ◽  
Thomas-Marc Markwalder
Keyword(s):  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Posterior Instrumentation ◽  
Neurological Dysfunction ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Isthmic Spondylolisthesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors assessed the late outcome of patients with Meyerding Grade I and II isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS) who underwent posterior instrumentation and posterolateral fusion (PLF). Decompression and posterior internal fixation with PLF is the classic surgical treatment for painful low-grade IS. Nevertheless, outcome data are scarce and of limited value mainly because they represent small numbers of patients, short follow-up periods, or both. Methods. The authors obtained data in the cases of 132 consecutive adult patients (mean age 40.6 years, range 15.2–69.9 years) with IS who underwent treatment between 1984 and 2003. Assessment involved analysis of responses to mailed questionnaires, clinical charts and, in cases in which unsatisfactory results were suspected, results of clinical reevaluations. Spondylolisthesis was present at L3–4 in three patients, L4–5 in 14, L3–4 in one, L3–5 in one, L5—S1 in 113, and S1–2 in one. Signs and symptoms included back and leg pain (65.3%), leg pain alone (26.3%), back pain alone (8.4%), and neurological dysfunction (18%). At a mean follow-up duration of 9.9 years (range 0.5–19.4 years), favorable results were reported for back and leg pain in 91.7 and 87.1% of patients, respectively. The mean visual analog scale scores were 2.13 for back and 1.59 for leg pain. Eighty-four patients resumed full- or part-time work, and 56.8% were capable of performing housework more easily. In 45.5% of the patients analgesic medications were not required, and 43.9% required them sporadically. The majority (63.6%) of patients reported they would undergo surgery again and recommended it to others. Thirteen (9.9%) suffered adjacent-segment morbidity, and in seven (5.3%) pseudarthrosis was documented. There were two deep and one superficial infections (2.3%). Conclusions. Posterior instrumentation and PLF, with possible neurodecompression, yielded favorable long-term results in this retrospective study of 132 patients with low-grade IS.

Long-Term Results of Arthroscopic Capsular Shrinkage for Palmar Midcarpal Instability of the Wrist

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Ricks ◽  
Peter Belward ◽  
David Hargreaves
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Results ◽  
Lead Author ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Dash Score ◽  
Anterior Drawer ◽  
Anterior Drawer Test ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Midcarpal instability is a term for a collection of poorly understood conditions where the proximal row of the carpus is unstable. The most common type of midcarpal instability is palmar midcarpal instability (PMCI). Treatment for PMCI includes nonoperative proprioceptive retraining of the wrist, splints, and strengthening. If this fails, various authors have suggested several different fusions, tenodesis procedures, or capsular shrinkage. There are no long-term case series in the literature. Objective The aim of this study is to assess the long-term results of arthroscopic capsular shrinkage when used for PMCI of the wrist. Methods A prospective cohort study of patients who underwent arthroscopic capsular shrinkage for PMCI was performed. Ethical board approval was given for this study. All patients were followed up and reviewed independently from the operating surgeon. Assessment included a structured questionnaire, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire, and clinical examination using a goniometer. PMCI was assessed objectively with the anterior drawer test and radiological imaging was only performed if clinically relevant to the residual symptoms. Results Thirteen patients (15 wrists) underwent arthroscopic capsular shrinkage for PMCI. Twelve patients (14 wrists) were available for clinical review with a follow-up rate of 92.3%. The mean time from index procedure to final review was 12 years (range: 10–14years). The symptoms of instability had completely resolved in nine wrists (7 patients). Only 2 of the 14 wrists had symptoms that were reproduced with a positive anterior drawer test. All other wrists were stable on objective assessment. The mean DASH score had improved from pre op of 34 to post op of 12.1 and at 12-year follow-up this had deteriorated minimally to 15.3. Assessment of the range of motion showed an average increase in range of flexion/extension by 22 degrees. Patient satisfaction was excellent. The patients rated that nine wrists were much better than presurgery, three as better, one unchanged, and one worse. Discussion/Conclusion There are no studies looking at the long-term natural history of treatments for PMCI. The lead author proposes a grading system for symptomatic PMCI that has been retrospectively applied to this cohort. It is a grading system from 1 to 4 and is based on a treatment algorithm. This is the first long-term study from any joint, where the results of capsular shrinkage have been maintained over time. In this series, we have not seen any deleterious effect from possible mechanoreceptor injury. We suspect that functioning mechanoreceptors are more relevant in the unstable joint, than the structurally stable joint. The authors propose that thermal capsular shrinkage is an effective and durable option for use in mild-to-moderate forms of PMCI.

scholarly journals Adaptive Proximal Scaphoid Implant: Indications and Long-Term Results

2019 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 344-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Anne Poumellec ◽  
Olivier Camuzard ◽  
Jean-Pierre Pequignot ◽  
Nicolas Dreant
Keyword(s):  
Grip Strength ◽  
Functional Results ◽  
Contralateral Side ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Carpal Collapse ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Carpal Height

Objective This study aims to define the indications of APSI and to evaluate the long-term results. Patients and Methods This is a monocentric study including patients that underwent an arthroplasty of the scaphoid proximal pole using an APSI between 1994 and 2010. Patients were assessed using autoquestionnaires and measuring ranges of motion, key pinch, and grip strength. X-ray views of the wrist were done to control the mobility of the implant and the evolution of the carpal collapse, if present. Results There were 19 patients included with a mean follow-up of 11 years. The mean range of motion was 106 degrees (65% of contralateral side) in flexion-extension and 33 degrees (78% of contralateral side) in radialulnar deviation. The mean grip strength was 72% of the contralateral side. The mean Mayo wrist score was 69/100, the mean QuickDASH 26/100, and the mean patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) 25/100. After 10 years, evolution to osteoarthritis was noted in 32% of the patients. This was associated with a decrease of the carpal height. More specifically, capito-lunate osteoarthritis was noted after 10 years and two out of three patients were concerned after 20 years of follow-up. No osteoarthritis was diagnosed at the radiolunate articulation. Conclusion APSI is a treatment option that enables patients with scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC), scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) I or II to preserve the strength and mobility with good functional results. But this arthroplasty does not prevent natural evolution to a carpal collapse after a follow-up of 20 years which is clinically well tolerated.

Surgical reconstruction for unilateral iliac artery lesions in patients younger than 50 years

VASA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 474-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radak ◽  
Babic ◽  
Ilijevski ◽  
Jocic ◽  
Aleksic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Limb Salvage ◽  
Iliac Artery ◽  
Graft Patency ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Surgical Reconstruction ◽  
Safe Procedure ◽  
Term Survival

Background: To evaluate safety, short and long-term graft patency, clinical success rates, and factors associated with patency, limb salvage and mortality after surgical reconstruction in patients younger than 50 years of age who had undergone unilateral iliac artery bypass surgery. Patients and methods: From January 2000 to January 2010, 65 consecutive reconstructive vascular operations were performed in 22 women and 43 men of age < 50 years with unilateral iliac atherosclerotic lesions and claudication or chronic limb ischemia. All patients were followed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery and every 6 months thereafter. Results: There was in-hospital vascular graft thrombosis in four (6.1 %) patients. No in-hospital deaths occurred. Median follow-up was 49.6 ± 33 months. Primary patency rates at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year were 92.2 %, 85.6 %, 73.6 %, and 56.5 %, respectively. Seven patients passed away during follow-up of which four patients due to coronary artery disease, two patients due to cerebrovascular disease and one patient due to malignancy. Limb salvage rate after 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year follow-up was 100 %, 100 %, 96.3 %, and 91.2 %, respectively. Cox regression analysis including age, sex, risk factors for vascular disease, indication for treatment, preoperative ABI, lesion length, graft diameter and type of pre-procedural lesion (stenosis/occlusion), showed that only age (beta - 0.281, expected beta 0.755, p = 0.007) and presence of diabetes mellitus during index surgery (beta - 1.292, expected beta 0.275, p = 0.026) were found to be significant predictors of diminishing graft patency during the follow-up. Presence of diabetes mellitus during index surgery (beta - 1.246, expected beta 0.291, p = 0.034) was the only variable predicting mortality. Conclusions: Surgical treatment for unilateral iliac lesions in patients with premature atherosclerosis is a safe procedure with a low operative risk and acceptable long-term results. Diabetes mellitus and age at index surgery are predictive for low graft patency. Presence of diabetes is associated with decreased long-term survival.

Short- and Long-Term Results of Total vs Subtotal Thyroid- ectomies in the Surgical Treatment of Graves' Disease

Swiss Surgery ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert ◽  
Mariéthoz ◽  
Pache ◽  
Bertin ◽  
Caulfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Nerve Palsy ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Graves Disease ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve Palsy ◽  
Short And Long Term

Objective: Approximately one out of five patients with Graves' disease (GD) undergoes a thyroidectomy after a mean period of 18 months of medical treatment. This retrospective and non-randomized study from a teaching hospital compares short- and long-term results of total (TT) and subtotal thyroidectomies (ST) for this disease. Methods: From 1987 to 1997, 94 patients were operated for GD. Thirty-three patients underwent a TT (mostly since 1993) and 61 a ST (keeping 4 to 8 grams of thyroid tissue - mean 6 g). All patients had received propylthiouracil and/or neo-mercazole and were in a euthyroid state at the time of surgery; they also took potassium iodide (lugol) for ten days before surgery. Results: There were no deaths. Transient hypocalcemia (< 3 months) occurred in 32 patients (15 TT and 17 ST) and persistent hypocalcemia in 8 having had TT. Two patients developed transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy after ST (< 3 months). After a median follow-up period of seven years (1-15) with five patients lost to follow-up, 41 patients having had a ST are in a hypothyroid state (73%), thirteen are euthyroid (23%), and two suffered recurrent hyperthyroidism, requiring completion of thyroidectomy. All 33 patients having had TT - with follow-ups averaging two years (0.5-8) - are receiving thyroxin substitution. Conclusions: There were no instances of persistent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in either group, but persistent hypoparathyroidism occurred more frequently after TT. Long after ST, hypothyroidism developed in nearly three of four cases, whereas euthyroidy was maintained in only one-fourth; recurrent hyperthyroidy was rare.

Clinical Experience with a New Nitinol Self-Expanding Stent in Peripheral Arteries

1996 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 369-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Henry ◽  
Max Amor ◽  
Rafael Beyar ◽  
Isabelle Henry ◽  
Jean-Marc Porte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Results ◽  
Lesion Length ◽  
Secondary Patency ◽  
Peripheral Arteries ◽  
External Compression ◽  
Nitinol Stent ◽  
Nitinol Stents ◽  
The Mean

Purpose: To evaluate a new self-expanding nitinol coil stent in stenotic or occluded peripheral arteries. Methods: Seventy-three symptomatic patients (58 men; mean age 67 years) were treated with nitinol stents for lesions in the iliac artery (9 stenoses); superficial femoral artery (SFA) (39 stenoses, 6 occlusions); popliteal artery and tibioperoneal trunk (9 stenoses, 7 occlusions); and 3 bypass grafts. Mean diameter stenosis was 84.4% ± 9.9% (range 75% to 100%), and mean lesion length was 45 ± 23 mm (range 20 to 120 mm). Results: Eighty-eight 40-mm-long stents with diameters between 5 and 8 mm were implanted percutaneously for suboptimal dilation (n = 45); dissection (n = 21); and restenosis (n = 7). All stents but one were implanted successfully; the malpositioned stent was removed, and another stent was successfully deployed. There were 3 (4.1%) failures due to thrombosis at 24 hours. During the mean 16-month follow-up (range to 44 months), 4 restenoses (3 femoral, 1 popliteal) have occurred; 2 were treated with repeat dilation and 2 underwent bypass. Primary and secondary patency rates at 18 months were 87% and 90%, respectively, for all lesions (iliac: 100% for both; femoral: 85% and 88%; popliteal: 87% and 100%). Conclusions: This new nitinol stent seems to be safe and effective with favorable long-term results, even in distal SFA lesions and popliteal arteries. Its flexibility and resistance to external compression allow its placement in tortuous arteries and near joints.

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