Vertebral rotatory subluxation: a risk factor for intraoperative neurological complications in correction surgery of spinal deformities / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the incidence of intraoperative neurological complications during correction surgery of spinal deformities in patients with or without rotatory subluxation (RS), and to analyze the correlation between RS and intraoperative neurological complications.Methods:From January 2012 to August 2017, a total of 37 patients with RS undergoing correction surgery, whom was excluded with preoperative spinal traction or three-column osteotomy during operation were retrospectively reviewedin our hospital. Thirty-seven patients without RS undergoing correction surgery were included asthe control group. The radiographic parameters included Cobb angle of main curve, coronal trunk balance (CTB) which was the distance between C 7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line, global kyphosis (GK), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), RS at coronal plane (CRS), RS at sagittal plane (SRS) and axial rotation (AR). The abnormal intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring events and positive wake-up test were recorded. Results:The mean age was 42.4±17.9 years (12-74 years) in the RS group and 42.7±18.3 years (12-74 years) in the control group( t=0.0713, P=0.943). The mean preoperative Cobb angle of main curve, CTB, GK, and SVA was 75.4°±29.7°, 38.4±28.4 mm, 52.8°±25.2°, and 40.3±36.8 mm respectively in the RS group, which was 75.1°±27.6°( t=0.045, P=0.964), 34.8±24.4 mm( t=0.584, P=0.560), 49.8°±22.5°( t=0.540, P=0.591), and 38.7±25.3 mm ( t=0.219, P=0.828) respectively in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups among the above preoperative index. Significant improvements in Cobb angle of main curve, CTB, GK, SVA,CRS, SRS and ARA were found between preoperation and postoperation ( P<0.05 for all), while no significant correction loss was observed during follow-up ( P>0.05 for all). There were 6 patients (16.2%) in the RS group and 4 patients (10.8%) in the control group with preoperative neurological deficit of Frankel grade D ( F=0.463, P=0.496). The abnormal intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring events were observed in 5 patients (13.5%) of the RS group and 1 patient (2.7%) of the control group ( F=2.902, P=0.088). Positive wake-up test was found in 2 patients of RS group (5.4%) ( F=2.056, P=0.493). Conclusion:Patients with RS had higher risks of preoperative neurological deficit, abnormal intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring events and deteriorative neurological deficit at postoperation. The RS at preoperation may be a risk factor for intraoperative neurological deficit.