Anterior cervical surgery methods for central cord syndrome without radiographic spinal fracture-dislocation

This study was aimed to explore the anterior cervical surgery methods to treat central cord syndrome without radiographic spinal fracture-dislocation(CCSWORFD),retrospectively analyze the cases of CCSWORFD,and evaluate the curative effect of anterior cervical surgery methods for CCSWORFD.Twenty four cases of CCSWORFD(19 males and 5 females),all suffering from cervical hyperextension injury,between 45–68(average 59)years old,were operated on by anterior cervical surgery methods.Among these,18 cases had been followed up for 6–24(average 15)months;18 cases,who had anterior decompression and platefixation with titanium mesh bone grafting or iliac bone grafting achieved reliable effects based on the Japanese Orthopedics Association(JOA)evaluation(improved scores of cases with titanium mesh bone grafting,t=2.800,P<0.05;improved scores of cases with iliac bone grafting,t=3.270,P<0.05)and reliable reconstruction of cervical spine.The two groups obtained the same curative effect(t=0.470,P>0.05).Most of these cases had degeneration of cervical vertebra.The decompression which relieves the oppression to the spinal cord can help lessen edema of the spinal cord,and earlyfixation for stability of cervical vertebra is better for the recovery of spinal cord injury.Anterior operation with titanium mesh bone grafting or iliac bone grafting are both reliable curative methods for CCSWORFD,and titanium mesh bone grafting can avoid the trauma of the supplying graft.Mesh bone grafting can also shorten hospital stay.