Upper Thoracic Spine Fractures Outcomes and Complications in King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh

Introduction: Upper thoracic spine fractures (T1-T6) are not uncommon. They are often high-energy injuries complicated by multiple life-threatening comorbidities. There is a controversial discussion in the literature regarding the treatment choices. Thoracic pedicle screw fixation has replaced all other fixation techniques for its success rate and safety. Despite the number of studies discussing upper thoracic spine fractures, data on literature reporting postoperative complications are deficient. The aim of the study was to assess, in a series of patients, the impact of traumatic upper thoracic fractures on sagittal alignment, the incidence of possible complications, and the effect of associated injuries. Methodology: This retrospective chart review study included all adult cases diagnosed as traumatic upper thoracic spine fractures in KAMC in Riyadh. Data were obtained from the computerized database. The information reviewed included fracture characteristics, associated injuries, pre- and postoperative neurological status and sagittal alignment, follow-up duration, and the presence of complications. Result: A total of 19 patients were included in the study. Of them, 17 (89.5%) were injured secondary to a motor vehicle accident. There were three patients with a fixation level crossing the CT junction, more blood loss and procedure time was noticed with these cases. There was a notable improvement in upper thoracic kyphosis by 9º when measuring pre- and postop fracture Cobb's angle. The mean preop angle was 28.98 and the mean postop was 20.76. Of all the 19 cases involved in the study, 3 patients had developed surgical site infection as a complication. No other complication was reviewed. Conclusion: It is well-known in the literature that the correction of kyphosis and the absence of residual deformity postoperatively are indicators of the success and safety of the procedure used. Our findings correspond to the literature discussion that the current practice in managing traumatic upper thoracic spine fracture in KAMC in Riyadh is relatively safe and effective. Yet, further studies are needed to elaborate more on the relationship between the presence of other injuries and patients’ factors and postoperative outcomes.

Coverage of complex tissue defects following open cervicothoracic spine surgery with a lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap—an interdisciplinary approach

The study design is a clinical case series. The objective of this study was to present the concept and efficacy of the lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap (LTIMF) for management of complex wound healing disorders following open cervicothoracic spine surgery. Wound healing disturbances with myocutaneous defects after open spine surgery at the cervical and upper thoracic spine are well-described complications. In severe cases, plastic reconstructive coverage is often required as a last resort. A review of all adult patients with deep wound dehiscence and tissue defects following open cervicothoracic spine surgery, who were managed with plastic surgery reconstruction using a LTIMF at our institution, was conducted. Synopses of these cases are presented. Seven patients with a mean age of 73 years ± 13 (range 50 to 89 years) were included in this case series. Six out of seven patients had instrumented posterior fusion added to their decompression. All patients were managed with a LTIMF for wound coverage. No spinal implants were removed prior to LTIMF surgery. The mean follow-up was 5.2 months (± 5.4 months). No major flap failure occurred, and all patients presented with satisfactory cosmetic results. The only minor complication was development of a sterile subcutaneous seroma in two patients, which were successfully managed by puncture and aspiration. The LTIMF is an effective and reliable salvage treatment option for spine surgery patients offering stable coverage of deep tissue defects resulting from complex wound healing disorders at the cervical and upper thoracic spine.

En bloc resection and reconstruction of a huge chondrosarcoma involving multilevel upper thoracic spine and chest wall: case report

Background En bloc resection of malignant tumors involving upper thoracic spine is technically difficult. We surgically treated a patient with grade 2 chondrosarcoma involving T1–5, left upper thoracic cavity, and chest wall. Case presentation A 37 years old, male patient was referred to our hospital for a huge lump involved left shoulder and chest wall. In order to achieve satisfied surgical margins, anterior approach, posterior approach, and lateral approach were carried out sequentially. After en bloc tumor resection, the upper thoracic spine was reconstructed with a 3D-printed modular vertebral prosthesis, and the huge chest wall defect was repaired by a methyl methacrylate layer between 2 pieces of polypropylene mesh. Postoperatively, the patient suffered from pneumonia and neurological deterioration which fully recovered eventfully. At 24 months after operation, the vertebral prosthesis and internal fixation were intact; there was no tumor local recurrence, and the patient was alive with stable pulmonary metastases. Conclusion This case report describes resection of a huge chondrosarcoma involving not only multilevel upper thoracic spine, but also entire left upper thoracic cavity and chest wall. Although with complications, en bloc tumor resection with combined surgical approach and effective reconstructions could improve oncologic and functional prognosis in carefully selected spinal tumor patients.