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Comparative Study
. 2009 Nov;1(4):305-10.
doi: 10.1111/j.1757-7861.2009.00049.x.

One-stage anterior release and reduction with posterior fusion for treatment of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation

Ding-jun Hao  1 , Bao-rong He, Qi-ning Wu
Affiliations
Comparative Study

One-stage anterior release and reduction with posterior fusion for treatment of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation

Ding-jun Hao et al. Orthop Surg. 2009 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the approach and feasibility of one-stage anterior release and reduction with posterior fusion for irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation.

Methods: Ten male and 6 female patients, with an average age of 36 years, including 13 patients with old trauma, 2 with rheumatoid disease, and 1 with os odontoideum were studied. Anterior release and reduction was performed in the supine position. The atlas and vertebra dentate were fixed posteriorly and fused by one stage.

Results: All patients were followed up from 15 to 40 months (mean, 23 months), and all gained anatomic reduction and bone fusion. Six months postoperatively, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score of the 12 patients with cord symptoms had improved from 8.3 preoperatively to 13.9, with a mean improvement of 87.5%.

Conclusion: Treatment of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with one-stage anterior release and reduction with posterior fusion is a reliable method.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Traumatic old atlantoaxial dislocation. (a) Preoperative X‐ray film showing atlantoaxial dislocation. (b) Intra‐operative X‐ray film showing atlantoaxial joint reduction with anterior reduction monitoring by C‐arm machine. (c) X‐ray film 1 week postoperatively showing atlantoaxial joint reduction and good internal fixation. (d) Three‐dimensional CT film 2 years after surgery showing bony fusion.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Os odontoideum associated with atlantoaxial dislocation. (a) Three‐dimensional CT scan showing os odontoideum and atlantoaxial dislocation. (b) X‐ray film 3 years after surgery showing good atlantoaxial position and bony fusion. (c) Three ‐dimensional CT scan 3 years after surgery showing bony fusion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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