Clinical Study of Tianji Robotic-Assisted Surgery for Upper Cervical Spine Fractures

Object: To compare the safety, clinical efficacy, and complication rate of “Tianji” robot-assisted surgery with traditional open surgery in the treatment of cervical vertebrae fracture. Methods: 60 patients with upper cervical vertebrae fracture admitted to Baise People’s Hospital between November 2018 and April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Among these patients, 29 underwent “Tianji” robot-assisted surgery (Robot group), and 31 underwent traditional C-arm fluoroscopy-assisted open surgery (Open group). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS 27.0 software to compare general data (gender, age, BMI), preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, neck disability index (NDI), intraoperative blood loss, accuracy of screw placement on imaging, and the number of complications in both groups for comprehensive evaluation. A P value < 0.05 was deemed to have achieved statistical significance. Results: There was no significant difference in preoperative VAS scores between the two groups (Robot group: 8.34 ± 0.61;Open group: 8.26 ± 0.68, P = 0.317). There was also no significant difference in VAS scores at 1 week postoperatively (Robot group: 6.90 ± 0.31;Open group: 6.94 ± 0.36, P = 0.3237). Preoperative NDI scores showed no significant difference between the two groups (Robot group: 43.31 ± 2.67;Open group: 43.84 ± 2.67, P = 0.2227), and the difference in NDI scores at 1 week postoperatively was also not significant (Robot group: 35.69 ± 4.24;Open group: 37.35 ± 3.48, P = 0.0509). Intraoperative blood loss in the Robot group was significantly lower than in the Open group (246.21 ± 209 ml vs 380.65 ± 328.04 ml, P = 0.0308), with a statistically significant difference. The operation time was longer in the Robot group (3.75 ± 0.74 h) compared to the Open group (2.74 ± 0.86 h). In terms of screw placement accuracy, the Robot group had a higher accuracy rate for Class A screws compared to the Open group (102 screws vs 94 screws, P = 0.0487), and the accuracy rate for Class B screws was also higher in the Robot group (13 screws vs 29 screws, P = 0.0333), with both differences being statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the number of complications between the two groups (Robot group: 8 cases;Open group: 10 cases, P = 0.6931). Conclusion: Patients treated with “Tianji” robot-assisted surgery for upper cervical vertebrae fracture had lower intraoperative blood loss and higher screw placement accuracy compared to those undergoing traditional C-arm fluoroscopy-assisted open surgery, indicating that this robot-assisted surgery can effectively reduce intraoperative blood loss and improve screw placement accuracy.

Selection of Surgical Approach and Clinical Significance of Lower Cervical Spine Injuries Guided by SLIC Scoring System

Objective: To explore the feasibility and clinical significance of surgical approach selection for cervical spine injury guided by SLIC scoring system. Methods: The clinical data of 75 patients with lower cervical injury surgery from January 2020 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 48 males and 27 females. Age: 28 - 65 years old. Causes of injury: 39 cases of traffic accidents, 15 cases of ice and snow sports, 12 cases of falling from high places, 9 cases of heavy objects. There were 12 cases of C3-4, 33 cases of C4-5, 21 cases of C5-6, and 9 cases of C6-7. Time from injury to medical treatment: 4 h - 2 d. Cervical spine X-ray, MRI, MDCT examination and preoperative SLIC score were performed on admission. Anterior approach was performed by subtotal cervical vertebrae resection or discectomy, titanium Cage or cage supported bone grafting and anterior titanium plate fixation. Posterior approach was performed with cervical laminoplasty, lateral mass or pedicle screw fixation and fusion. The combined anterior-posterior operation was performed by the anterior methods+ posterior methods. The time from injury to surgery is 12 h to 3 d. The function before and after operation was evaluated by JOA efficacy evaluation criteria. The correlation between the three surgical approaches and postoperative efficacy and SLIC score was compared. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: In this group of 75 patients, 32 cases of anterior operation, 22 cases of posterior operation and 21 cases of combined operation were followed up for no less than 12 months. There was no significant difference in age, gender, injury cause, injury segment, time from injury to treatment, and time from injury to operation among the three surgical approaches, which were comparable. The SLIC scores of mild, moderate and severe injuries of anterior surgery, posterior surgery and combined anterior and posterior surgery, They were (5.26 ± 1.24, 5.86 ± 1.67, 8.25 ± 0.21), (5.57 ± 1.43, 5.99 ± 1.85, 9.00 ± 0.25), (0, 5.98 ± 0.33, 9.44 ± 0.34), respectively. By comparing the SLIC scores and JOA scores of anterior surgery and posterior surgery, there was no difference in SLIC scores and JOA scores between the two groups for mild and moderate injuries (P > 0.05). However, the JOA scores at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery were different from those before surgery, and the postoperative efficacy and JOA scores were significantly improved (P & lt;0.05), indicating that the two surgical methods had the same therapeutic effect, that is, anterior or posterior surgery could be used to treat mild or moderate injuries (P > 0.05). There were differences in SLIC scores among the three surgical approaches for severe injury (P 0.05). The postoperative efficacy and JOA score of combined anterior-posterior approach were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P Conclusion: SLIC score not only provides accurate judgment for conservative treatment or surgical treatment of cervical spine injury, but also provides evidence-based medical basis and reference value for the selection of surgical approach and surgical method. According to the SLIC score, the surgical approach is safe and feasible. When the SLIC score is 4 - 7, anterior surgery is selected for type A injury, and posterior surgery is selected for type B injury. When the SLIC score is ≥8, combined anterior-posterior surgery should be selected. It is of great significance for clinical formulation of precision treatment strategy.

Effect of cervical spine surgery on the biomechanics of the cervical spine

In clinical practice,cervical spine surgery inevitably alters the original physiological structure of the cervical spine,thus causing changes in the original biomechanical properties of the cervical spine.The biomechanical properties of the cervical spine are particularly significant as it is an essential structure that supports the head and connects the trunk.Different cervical spine surgery options can have different effects on the biomechanics of the cervical spine.Therefore,this review will discuss recent research advances on the effects of cervical spine surgery on cervical spine biomechanics.We hope that this review will provide some theoretical basis for future studies on the biomechanical effects of cervical spine surgery on the cervical spine.

Socio-Demographic Profile of Patients Victims of Subaxial Cervical Spine Trauma at the University Hospital of Brazzaville (Congo)

Introduction: Traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) are a public health problem. Subaxial cervical spine trauma (SCST) is the most common. They are a source of neurological consequences that can affect the functional prognosis, but above all vital. The objective of this study was to describe the profile of patients with lower cervical spine trauma. Method: We carried out a cross-sectional and retrospective study over seven years, from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021, in the multipurpose surgery department of the University Hospital Center of Brazzaville. We included all patients hospitalized for SCST, having performed at least one radiological examination. We excluded all patients whose records were incomplete. Results: We recorded 90 cases of SCST, and 60 cases met our selection criteria. The median age was 37 years, with the extremes of 6 and 83, the sex ratio of 3.6. The level of education was secondary in 45 cases (75%), and university in 13 cases (21.7%). Road traffic accidents accounted for 68.3% of cases, followed by falls in 16.7%. Motorcyclists were the most frequent victims (46.3%). Among the 60 patients in the series, three (5%) had health insurance. Conclusion: The SCST concerns subjects in their thirties, of the male sex. Road traffic accidents are the first cause, and mainly concern motorcyclists.

Subaxial cervical spine injury classification system: is it most appropriate for classifying cervical injury?

The cervical spine injury represents a potential devastating disease with 6% associated in-hospital mortality （lain et al., 2015）. Neurological deterioration ranging from complete spinal cord injury （SCI） to incomplete SCI or single radiculopathy are potential consequences of the blunt trauma over this region. The subaxial cervical spine accounts the vast majority of cervical injuries, making up two thirds of all cervical fractures （Alday, 1996）. Few classifications （Holdsworth, 1970; White et al., 1975; Mien et al., 1982; Denis, 1984; Vaccaro et al., 2007） have been proposed to describe injuries of the cervical spine for several reasons. First, to delineate the best treatment in each case; second, to determinate an accurate neurological prognosis, and third, to establish a standard way to communicate and describe specific characteristics of cervical injuries patterns. Classical systems are primarily descriptive and no single system has gained widespread use, largely because of restrictions in clinical relevance and its complexity.

Application of the Modality of Multiple Disciplinary Team for a Perioperative Patient with Suspected Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia and Cervical Spine Fracture in Nursing

With the explosive spread of novel coronavirus pneumonia, a major public major public health emergency has been declared around the world. Our country has come to a crucial stage of “external defense input, internal defense rebound” and strict quarantine measures are taken in all ports of entry throughout the country. Operations on patients with cervical spine during the quarantine, which not only increases the risk of surgical treatment, but also increases the difficulty of perioperative nursing. The objective is to explore the result of application of the modality of multiple disciplinary team for a perioperative patient with suspected novel coronavirus pneumonia and cervical spine fracture in nursing. The patient’s condition and nursing measures are studied and discussed from various specialist angle through the multidisciplinary team established by the isolation ward, orthopedics department, emergency department, anesthesiology department, operating room, rehabilitation department, psychology department and so on, and the overall and personalized surgical and nursing planning is formed through interdisciplinary advice. The nursing experience is summarized in this paper.

Klippel-feil:A syndrome in the occipital-cervical spine field and its dentofacial manifestations

Klippel-Feil syndrome(KFS) is defined by congenital cervical vertebral spine fusion and is seen with a wide spectrum of dental manifestations and craniofacial profiles. Previous studies on lateral cephalograms have documented an association between fusion of the cervicalvertebrae and deviations in the craniofacial profile in non-syndromic patients with severe malocclusion. To our knowledge, no previous studies have described the craniofacial profile including the cranial base of KFS patients on lateral cephalograms. Therefore KFS and its craniofacial and dental manifestations were described according to existing literature and additionally the craniofacial profile and cranial base was analysed on lateral cephalograms of two patients with KFS. According to the literature the dental manifestations of KFS-patients included oligodontia, overjet, cross bite, open bite and deep bite. The craniofacial profile was clinically described as reduced lower facial height, midfacial hypoplasia, and mandibular prognathia. The analyses of the two lateral cephalograms showed increased mandibular inclination, increased vertical jaw-relationship, increased jaw angle and maxillary retrognathia. The cranial base was normal in both cases. The sagittal jaw relationship and mandibular prognathia varied between the two cases. The literature review and the analyses of the two lateral cephalograms have shown that deviations in the occipital and cervical spine field as KFS were associated with deviations in the teeth and craniofacial profile.

Tooth agenesis and craniofacial morphology in preorthodontic children with and without morphological deviations in the upper cervical spine

AIM: To analyze differences in prevalence and pattern of tooth agenesis and craniofacial morphology between non syndromic children with tooth agenesis with and without upper cervical spine morphological deviations and to analyze associations between craniofacial morphology and tooth agenesis in the two groups together. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six pre-orthodontic children with tooth agenesis were divided into two groups with(19 children, mean age 11.9) and without(107 children, mean age 11.4) upper spine morphological deviations. Visual assessment of upper spine morphology and measurements of craniofacial morphology were performed on lateral cephalograms. Tooth agenesis was evaluated from orthopantomograms.RESULTS: No significant differences in tooth agenesis and craniofacial morphology were found between children with and without upper spine morphological deviations(2.2 ± 1.6 vs 1.94 ± 1.2, P > 0.05) but a tendency to a different tooth agenesis pattern were seen in children with morphological deviations in the upper spine. In the total group tooth agenesis was associated with the cranial base angle(n-s-ba, r = 0.23,P < 0.01), jaw angle(ML/RLar, r = 0.19, P < 0.05), mandibular inclination(NSL/ML, r =-0.21, P < 0.05), mandibular prognathia(s-n-pg, r = 0.25, P < 0.01), sagittal jaw relationship(ss-n-pg, r =-0.23, P < 0.5), overjet(r =-0.23, P < 0.05) and overbite(r =-0.25, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Etiology of tooth agenesis in children with upper spine morphological deviations was discussed. The results may be valuable for the early diagnosis and treatment planning of non syndromic children with tooth agenesis.

Solitary bone plasmacytoma of the upper cervical spine: A case report

BACKGROUND Solitary bone plasmacytoma(SBP)of the upper cervical spine is a rare diagnosis.The exact role of surgery for SBP remains unclear.CASE SUMMARY We present the first case of SBP of the C2.A 69-year-old Chinese woman presented with severe neck pain and limitation of rotative activity for 2 mo.She underwent anterior one-stage debridement combined with cement augmentation in the C2 to reconstruct stability of the spine.The patient did not receive postoperative radiotherapy.She now remains disease free with no neck pain or neurological deficit after follow-up of 3 years.CONCLUSION Anterior one-stage debridement combined with cement augmentation of the upper cervical spine may be an alternative treatment for SBP.

Iatrogenic giant pseudomeningocele of the cervical spine:A case report

BACKGROUND Only a few cases of giant pseudomeningoceles have been reported in the literature.Herein,we report a giant pseudomeningocele of the cervical spine that was found after cervical laminectomy for an epidural hematoma following epidural blockade.CASE SUMMARY A 47-year-old man presented with recurrent neck pain and posterior neck swelling after spinal surgery.Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine revealed fluid collection(5.6 cm×6.6 cm×11.2 cm)at the C3-6 level;this proved to be a pseudomeningocele.Symptoms related to the pseudomeningocele resolved following dural repair and fat graft transplantation.CONCLUSION Although rare,pseudomeningocele is a possibility in patients with recurrent back pain,radicular pain,or a persistent headache following spinal surgery.Continuous attention should be paid throughout the spinal procedure,whether conservative or non-conservative.

Clinical algorithm for preventing missed diagnoses of occult cervical spine instability after acute trauma: A case report

BACKGROUND Missed or delayed diagnosis of cervical spine instability after acute trauma can have catastrophic consequences for the patient,resulting in severe neurological impairment.Currently,however,there is no consensus on the optimal strategy for diagnosing occult cervical spine instability.Thus,we present a case of occult cervical spine instability and provide a clinical algorithm to aid physicians in diagnosing occult instability of the cervical spine.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old man presented with cervical spine pain and inability to stand following a serious fall from a height of 2 m.No obvious vertebral fracture or dislocation was found at the time on standard lateral X-ray,computed tomography,and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Subsequently,the initial surgical plan was unilateral open-door laminoplasty(C3-7)with alternative levels of centerpiece mini-plate fixation(C3,5,and 7).However,the intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopic X-rays revealed significantly increased intervertebral space at C5-6,indicating instability at this level that was previously unrecognized on preoperative imaging.We finally performed lateral mass fixation and fusion at the C5-6 level.Looking back at the preoperative images,we found that the preoperative T2 MRI showed non-obvious high signal intensity at the C5-6 intervertebral disc and posterior interspinous ligament.CONCLUSION MRI of cervical spine trauma patients should be carefully reviewed to detect disco-ligamentous injury,which will lead to further cervical spine instability.In patients with highly suspected cervical spine instability indicated on MRI,lateral X-ray under traction or after anesthesia and muscle relaxation needs to be performed to avoid missed diagnoses of occult cervical instability.

Development of a comprehensive finite element cervical spine model for studying neck injury of pilot

Introduction-The cervical spine is subjected to injury frequently,especially among pilots who are usually on the condition of high acceleration.Injuries of the cervical spine will be potential risk of damage to the spinal cord,which could be result in life threatening

Upper Cervical Spine Infection. Complication of Hypopharyngeal Injury

Background: We describe a rare case of Candida albicans retropharyngeal infection with upper cervical spondylodiscitis associated with epidural abscess triggered by ingestion of a chicken bone. Case Description: A 63-year-old woman presented with posterior neck and bilateral shoulders pain three weeks after choking on a 2-centimeter chicken bone. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess with significant spinal cord compression at C2 and C3 levels. A Barium swallow showed a focal disruption of the posterior wall of the esophagus. A posterior upper cervical fixation (C2-C5) was initially performed. One week later an anterior decompressive procedure was carried out followed by iliac crest bony fusion, and repair of the esophageal defect. Intra-operative cultures showed heavy growth of Candida albicans. After a transitory post-operative neurologic worsening, and after six weeks of appropriate antifungal therapy, the patient achieved a full clinical and radiologic recovery. Conclusion: Prompt surgical debridement, fusion and stabilization combined with adequate antimicrobial agents are necessary to guarantee a good outcome and reverse the neurological deficits.

The status of the cervical spine in preschool children with a history of congenital muscular torticollis

Background: Infants with congenital muscular torticollis are born with an asymmetric range of motion and a muscular imbalance in the cervical spine, as a result of a shortening or excessive contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Purpose: The study aimed to investigate passive range of motion (PROM) for rotation and lateral flexion, and muscle function of the cervical spine in children that had a history of CMT as infants. Study design: a prospective cohort study. Patient sample: 58 children at the age of 3.5 to 5 years that had been treated for CMT have infants participated in the study. Method: PROM was measured with protractors and muscle function was estimated with a modified Muscle Function Scale. Data from infancy were taken from earlier records. Result: PROM in rotation of the neck was mean 98.7&#176 and PROM in lateral flexion of the neck was mean 69.1&#176. Symmetric PROM of the neck was found in 74% of the children for rotation and in 88% of the children for lateral flexion. Multiple regression showed that gender and PROM in rotation as infants had a significant impact on asymmetric PROM. Forty-five percent of the children had some degree of muscular imbalance in the lateral flexors of the neck. Conclusion: Possible risk factors for later asymmetric PROM are: gender, birth weight, gestation week and PROM in rotation as infants. These factors ought to be taken into consideration when developing guidelines for long-term follow-up.

Early Clinical Improvement of the Axial Pain after Sagittal Curve Restoration in Patients Who Underwent a Multiple Level Microdiscectomy with Fusion of the Cervical Spine Using Zero Profile Cages

A common pathology that causes axial and/or radicular pain is cervical degenerative spine. It has the potential to cause myelopathy. The majority of cases necessitate surgical decompression and sagittal balance correction;surgery may be performed at multiple levels of the cervical spine. Typically, during decompression, the degenerated discs are replaced and the spine is fused, and it has been recommended to restore the lordotic curve during the procedure to avoid any axial pain post-operatively. We followed our patients who had multiple level cervical spine decompression with fusion and monitored their axial pain after correction or in the absence of correction of the normal lordosis in the early post-operative period. When various levels of degenerative cervical spine are treated, it appears that axial pain does not improve in the immediate or early postoperative term.

Enlarged laminectomy for ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in cervical spine

Objective To introduce surgical strategy of enlarged laminectomy (with partial facet joint dissection to expose nerve root) ,and to discuss its benefit for cervicalossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL)

Decompression via posterior-anterior approach and anterior fixation in treatment of fracturedislocation of the lower cervical spine with bilateral facet joints dislocation

Objective To evaluate surgical strategy of decompression via posterior-anterior approach and anterior fixation in treatment fracture-dislocation of lower cervical spine with bilateral facet joints dislocation. Methods This

Hounsfield units in assessing bone mineral density in ankylosing spondylitis patients with cervical fracture-dislocation

BACKGROUND Cervical spine fracture-dislocations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS)are mostly unstable and require surgery.However,osteoporosis,one of the comorbidities for AS,could lead to detrimental prognoses.There are few accurate assessments of bone mineral density in AS patients.AIM To analyze Hounsfield units(HUs)for assessing bone mineral density in AS patients with cervical fracture-dislocation.METHODS The HUs from C2 to C7 of 51 patients obtained from computed tomography(CT)scans and three-dimensional reconstruction of the cervical spine were independently assessed by two trained spinal surgeons and statistically analyzed.Inter-reader reliability and agreement were assessed by interclass correlation coefficient.RESULTS The HUs decreased gradually from C2 to C7.The mean values of the left and right levels were significantly higher than those in the middle.Among the 51 patients,25 patients(49.02%)may be diagnosed with osteoporosis,and 16 patients(31.37%)may be diagnosed with osteopenia.CONCLUSION The HUs obtained by cervical spine CT are feasible for assessing bone mineral density with excellent agreement in AS patients with cervical fracture-dislocation.

Diagnosis and treatment of primary diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumors of the cervical spine

Diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumor （D-TGCT） belongs to a group of lesions believed to arise from tendon sheaths,bursae,or the synovium of diarthrodial joints.The etiology of D-TGCT is unknown.Because it shares histological characteristics with pigmented villonodular synovitis,however,D-TGCT is also termed extra-articular pigmented villonodular synovitis.D-TGCT,which occurs mainly in middle-aged women （20-50 years of age1）,usually involves large load-bearing joints （e.g.,knee,ankle,and hip）.Clinical case reports of D-TGCT involving the spine are rare.2 We retrospectively analyzed a series of three patients diagnosed with cervical D-TGCT in our department over a 10-year period.

CT Scanning For the Evaluation of Cervical Spine Trauma.

Thirty-three cases of cervical spine fractures were inenti-fied among 51 cases undergoing GT of the cervical spine fol-