Effect of reduction and reconstruction of the bony structure after one-stage posterior resection of high cervical tumors / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the clinical effect of reduction and reconstruction of the removed bony structure after one-stage posterior resection of high cervical tumors.@*Methods@#From October 2009 to March 2018, 17 patients including 10 males and 7 females of high cervical tumors who underwent one-stage posterior resection with an average age of 57 years (26~84 years) were reviewed. There were 11 shwannomas, 3 meningiomas and 3 concurrent shwannoma and meningioma arising in the same level, respectively. Reduction with (14 cases) or without internal fixation (3 cases) were performed for the removed C1 posterior arch or C2 laminar and spinous process. The clinical effects were compared with Visual analogue score (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores (JOA) and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade. The cervical lordosis and range of motion were measured with the X-ray before the operation and at the last follow-up.@*Results@#There were no vertebral artery injury or massive hemorrhage during the surgeries. The operation time was 184±43 min, blood loss was 203±223 ml, and mean follow-up period was 29.1±28.2 months. No recurrence was found during the follow-up, and the motor and sensory were significant recovered in all patients after surgery. VAS score and JOA score were significantly improved at the last follow-up. ASIA grade was C for 1 case, D for 11 cases and E for 5 cases before surgery. After surgeries, C improved to D, 8 cases of D improved to E and 3 cases of D failed improved to E. Although the cervical lordosis and range of motion was decreased significantly in the last follow-up in X-ray, no patients complained stiffness and discomfort in rotation or flexion and extension of the neck. Cardiac arrest during operation was occurred in 1 case, and heartbeat recovered after stopping the manipulation. CSF leakage was found in 9 cases and no surgical site infection was occurred.@*Conclusion@#Resection of high cervical dumbbell-shape tumors is a demanding surgery with high incidence of complications. The reduction and reconstruction of removed bony structure without fusion could rebuild the stability of high cervical spine and preserve the cervical range of motion as much as possible which improves clinical effect.