Free-hand cervical pedicle screw fixation for upper cervical fracture and instability

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of the free-hand cervical pedicle screw fixation in treatment of the upper cervical fracture and instability. Methods A retrospective review was performed on 15 patients

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.

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.

Ankylosing spondylitis complicated with andersson lesion in the lower cervical spine: A case report

BACKGROUND Andersson lesion(AL)is an uncommon complication in ankylosing spondylitis(AS),which is characterized by nonneoplastic bone destruction and often appears as bone destruction and sclerosis in the vertebral body and/or the area involving the intervertebral disc.According to the literature,Andersson lesion commonly occur in the thoracic and lumbar spine and rarely in the cervical spine.CASE SUMMARY This case involved a 78-year-old man with a long history of AS who developed AL in the cervical spine(C5/6 and C6/7).One-stage anterior-posterior approach surgery was successfully performed.At the 6-month follow-up,the pain was significantly reduced,and the limb function was gradually improved.CONCLUSION AL uncharacteristically appears in the cervical spine and tends to be misdiagnosed as vertebral metastases or spinal tuberculosis.Posterior combined with anterior surgery achieves solid biological stabilization in the treatment of AL bone destruction.

Clinical application of anterior cervical decompression and fusion under METRx system

Objective: To explore the feasibility and effect of anterior cervical decompression and fusion under METRx system. Methods: Between Nov. 2001 and Nov. 2003, totally 23 consecutive patients were performed anterior cervical decompression and fusion under METRx system. The clinical outcome was evaluated by Odom standard. Results: Decompression and fusion along with internal fixation was obtained in all the 23 patients with minimal tissue damage and operation-caused scar. There were no wound infection, neurological injuries, throat discomfort and other complications. The total rate of excellent and good outcome in patients with degenerative cervical diseases was 94%. Conclusion: Cervical decompression and fusion can be performed under METRx system with its own advantages, such as minimal tissue damage and operation-caused scar, less throat discomfort.

A review of neck injury and protection in vehicle accidents

Neck injury is one of the most common types of injury in vehicle accidents.The mechanisms of neck injury remain controversial due to the complex structure of the cervical spine and various impact conditions.The aim of the present study is to provide a summary of recent research on neck injury mechanisms,neck injury criteria and neck injury prevention measures.The main types of neck injury resulting from vehicle accidents,including whiplash injury,cervical bone fractures and spinal cord injury,are introduced.Neck injury mechanisms are summarized according to load directions,test or simulation methods,and thresholds by means of impact intensity,load intensity and stress/strain conditions.Neck injury criteria are introduced,including NIC,N_(ij),N_(km) and LNL.Passive and active technologies for neck injury prevention are described and the challenge of neck injury prevention for future intelligent vehicles is discussed.