Unstable atlas fractures treated by minitype titanium plate fixation through transoral approach / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of minitype titanium plate fixation through transoral approach in the treatment of unstable atlas fractures.Methods A retrospective case series study was made on 21 patients with unstable atlas fractures treated by minitype titanium plate fixation through transoral approach from June 2008 to June 2014.There were 15 males and 6 females,at age of (40.9 ± 10.6)years (range,21 to 57 years).Anterior 1/2 Jefferson fractures were seen in 12 patients and 1/2 ring Jefferson fractures in 9 patients.Preoperative visual analogue score (VAS) was 4-9 points [(7.6 ± 1.3) points].Before operation,degree of mobility of the cervical vertebra was (15.4 ± 3.9) °in bending,(10.8 ± 2.5) °in extending,(18.3 ± 3.1) ° in left-bending,(18.9 ± 2.7) ° in right-bending,(21.8 ± 5.8) °in left-rotation and (22.4 ± 4.6) ° in right-rotation.Operation time,intraoperative blood loss,VAS,cervical mobility and bone healing were detected after operation.Results Operation time was (86.3 ±25.3)m in,and intraoperative blood loss was (120.5 ± 33.3)ml.VAS was improved to 0-2 points [(1.6 ± 0.4) points] at postoperative 3 days (P ＜ 0.05).All patients were followed up for 12 to 48 months[(23.7 ±5.9) months].VAS was improved to 0-2 points[(0.6 ± 0.1) points] at postoperative 3 months (P ＜ 0.05).Degree of mobility of the cervical vertebra was improved significantly at postoperative 3 months,with the bending of(38.6 ± 4.5) °,extending of (39.3 ± 4.0) °,left-bending of (39.2 ± 4.0) °,right-bending of (39.2 ± 2.9) °,left-rotation of (66.8 ± 8.8) ° and right-rotation of (66.3 ± 9.2) ° (P ＜ 0.05).Postoperatively,there were no surgical wound incision infections and vertebral artery or spinal injuries,Bone union was found in all patients,without the occurrence of implant loosening or breakage and the dysfunction of the cervical vertebra.Conclusion Minitype titanium plate fixation through transoral approach is associated with less trauma,high healing rate and preservation of the activity of cervical vertebra in the treatment of unstable atlas fractures.