• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.179-183
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• 2007

Objective : Posterior arthrodesis in atlantoaxial instability has been performed using various posterior C1-2 wiring techniques. Recently, transarticular screw fixation (TASF) technique was introduced to achieve significant immediate stability of the C1-2 joint complex. The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical outcomes associated with posterior C1-2 TASF for the patient of atlantoaxial instability. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed data obtained from 17 patients who underwent C1-2 TASF and supplemented Posterior wiring technique (PWT) with graft between 1994 and 2005. There were 8 men and 9 women with a mean age of 43.5 years (range, 12-65 years). An average follow-up was 26 months (range, 15-108 months). Results : Successful fusions were achieved in 16 of 17 (94%). The pain was improved markedly (3 patients) or resolved completely (14 patients). There was no case of neurological deterioration, hypoglossal nerve injury, or vertebral artery injury. Progression of spinal deformity, screw pullout or breakage, and neurological or vascular complications did not occur. Conclusion : The C1-2 TASF with supplemental wiring provided a high fusion rate. Our result demonstrates that C1-2 TASF supplemented by PWT is a safe and effective procedure for atlantoaxial instability. Preoperative evaluation and planning is mandatory for optimal safety.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.311-316
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• 2007

Objective : The objective of this study is to investigate the safety, surgical efficacy, and advantages of a polyaxial screw-rod system for posterior occipitocervicothoracic arthrodesis. Methods : Charts and radiographs of 32 patients who underwent posterior cervical fixation between October 2004 and February 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Posterior cervical polyaxial screw-rod fixation was applied on the cervical spine and/or upper thoracic spine. The surgical indication was fracture or dislocation in 18, C1-2 ligamentous injury with trauma in 5, atlantoaxial instability by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in 4, cervical spondylosis with myelopathy in 4, and spinal metastatic tumor in 1. The patients were followed up and evaluated based on their clinical status and radiographs at 1, 3, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Results : A total of 189 screws were implanted in 32 patients. Fixation was carried out over an average of 3.3 spinal segment (range, 2 to 7). The mean follow-up interval was 20.2 months. This system allowed for screw placement in the occiput, C1 lateral mass, C2 pars, C3-7 lateral masses, as well as the lower cervical and upper thoracic pedicles. Satisfactory bony fusion and reduction were achieved and confirmed in postoperative flexion-extension lateral radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans in all cases. Revision surgery was required in two cases due to deep wound infection. One case needed a skin graft due to necrotic change. There was one case of kyphotic change due to adjacent segmental degeneration. There were no other complications, such as cord or vertebral artery injury, cerebrospinal fluid leak, screw malposition or back-out, or implant failure, and there were no cases of postoperative radiculopathy due to foraminal stenosis. Conclusion : Posterior cervical stabilization with a polyaxial screw-rod system is a safe and reliable technique that appears to offer several advantages over existing methods. Further biomechanical testings and clinical experiences are needed in order to determine the true benefits of this procedure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.21-26
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• 2012

Objective : To evaluate a new posterior atlantoaxial fixation technique using a nitinol shape memory loop as a simple method that avoids the risk of vertebral artery or nerve injury. Methods : We retrospectively evaluated 14 patients with atlantoaxial instability who had undergone posterior C1-2 fusion using a nitinol shape memory loop. The success of fusion was determined clinically and radiologically. We reviewed patients' neurologic outcomes, neck disability index (NDI), solid bone fusion on cervical spine films, changes in posterior atlantodental interval (PADI), and surgical complications. Results : Solid bone fusion was documented radiologically in all cases, and PADI increased after surgery (p<0.05). All patients remained neurologically intact and showed improvement in NDI score (p<0.05). There were no surgical complications such as neural tissue or vertebral artery injury or instrument failure in the follow-up period. Conclusion : Posterior C1-2 fixation with a nitinol shape memory loop is a simple, less technically demanding method compared to the conventional technique and may avoid the instrument-related complications of posterior C1-2 screw and rod fixation. We introduce this technique as one of the treatment options for atlantoaxial instability.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권11호
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• pp.1461-1468
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• 2000

Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical outcome of anterior screw fixation for type II odontoid fractures for the prliematim of atlanatoaxial mobility. Methods : Between 1995 and 1999, we treated 15 cases of type II odontoid fractures by anterior screw fixation among 44 cases of odontoid fractures. Thece included 14 males and 1 female aged from 23 to 63 years, with a mean age of 39.7 years. The causes of trauma were traffic accident in 13 cases, slip down in 1 and fall down in 1. The fracture type was type II-P in 7 cases, type II-A in 3, type II-N in 2 and type II-A and P in 3. The fracture line was oblique downward and backward in 6 cases, oblique downward and forward in 3 and horizontally in 6. The range of follow up was 4 to 47 months(mean 26.5 months). Results : Adequate reduction and fixation were obtained in 12 cases. Three cases in which fracture type and line were type II-A and oblique downward forward were failed, so posterior transarticular screw fixation was performed. All except 3 failed cases had adequate cervical movement and stability. There were no operative mortality nor morbidity. Conclusion : Anterior screw fixation provides the best anatomical and functional results for type II odontoid fracture with intact transverse ligament when fracture line is horizontal or oblique downward and backward. But it is limited when fracture line is oblique downward and forward.

• 대한족부족관절학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2015

Purpose: To report the radiographic and clinical results of 6.5 mm cancellous full threaded buttress screw or Steinmann pin fixation to maintain a reduction of calcaneal posterior facet depression fracture. Materials and Methods: From June 2009 to June 2012, 50 consecutive cases with calcaneal joint depression fracture that underwent open reduction and screw or pin fixation were enrolled in this study. A 6.5 mm cancellous full threaded screw was inserted from the posteroinferior aspect of the calcaneal tuberosity to the posterior facet (group A) or Steinman pin was inserted from the posterosuperior aspect of the calcaneal tuberosity to the calcaneocuboidal joint (group B). Both preoperative and postoperative Bohler and Gissane angles were measured radiographically, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale on the final follow-up were assessed. Results: The mean age of patients was 44.1 years, and the mean follow-up period was 27.2 months. According to the Sanders classification, 28 cases were type II and 22 cases were type III. In Sanders type II, Bohler and Gissane angles improved significantly from $10.1^{\circ}$ and $126.2^{\circ}$ preoperatively to $27.2^{\circ}$ and $117.1^{\circ}$, respectively, in the immediate postoperative radiograph, and at the final follow-up, $26.6^{\circ}$ and $118.6^{\circ}$, respectively. In Sanders type III, Bohler and Gissane angles improved significantly from $5.0^{\circ}$ and $129.8^{\circ}$ to $29.9^{\circ}$ and $119.3^{\circ}$, respectively, in the immediate postoperative radiograph, and $26.9^{\circ}$ and $120.2^{\circ}$ at the final follow-up. All cases achieved bony union, and the average period until complete union was 13.3 weeks. AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale was 82.6 in Sanders type II and 77.3 in Sanders type III at the final follow-up. Conclusion: A 6.5 mm cancellous full threaded buttress screw or Steinman pin fixation is a noninvasive treatment method with a merit of being able to maintain the bearing capacity of the posterior facet comparable to plate fixation.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.12-18
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• 2022

Purpose: Pedicle screw fixation provides 3-column stabilization, multidimensional control, and a higher rate of interbody fusion. Although computed tomography (CT) is recommended for the postoperative assessment of pedicle screw fixation, its use is limited due to the radiation exposure dose. The purpose of this preliminary retrospective study was to assess the clinical usefulness of low-dose mobile cone-beam CT (CBCT) for the postoperative evaluation of pedicle screw fixation. Methods: The author retrospectively reviewed postoperative mobile CBCT images of 15 patients who underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation for spinal disease from November 2019 to April 2020. Pedicle screw placement was assessed for breaches of the bony structures. The breaches were graded based on the Heary classification. Results: The patients included 11 men and four women, and their mean age was 66±12 years. Of the 122 pedicle screws, 34 (27.9%) were inserted in the thoracic segment (from T7 to T12), 82 (67.2%) in the lumbar segment (from L1 to L5), and six (4.9%) in the first sacral segment. Although there were metal-related artifacts, the image of the screw position (according to Heary classification) after surgery could be assessed using mobile CBCT at all levels (T7-S1). Conclusions: Mobile CBCT was accurate in determining the location and integrity of the pedicle screw and identifying the surrounding bony structures. In the postoperative setting, mobile CBCT can be used as a primary modality for assessing the accuracy of pedicle screw fixation and detecting postoperative complications.

• 대한족부족관절학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.59-65
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• 2022

The posterior malleolar fracture is relatively common fracture of the foot and ankle, but several aspects of this are still controversial. If the posterior malleolus is involved in the ankle fracture, the prognosis is usually poor. A computed tomography scan is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Although indirect reduction and the anterior to posterior screw fixation technique have the advantages of a small incision with the requirement of relatively simple skills, direct open reduction and fixation from the posterior side provide a more biomechanically stable and accurate reduction. The precise reduction of the posterior malleolar fragment helps to achieve congruency of the tibia and fibula in the incisura and contributes to syndesmotic stability. It is important to determine the indications for surgical treatment by comprehensively evaluating the three-dimensional structure of the posterior malleolar fracture and all related injuries to the ankle.

• 대한기계학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한기계학회 2008년도 추계학술대회A
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• pp.664-667
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• 2008

Since the advent of pedicle screw fixation system, posterior spinal fusion has markedly increased This intemal fixation system has been reported to enhance the fusion rates, thereby becoming very popular procedure in posterior spinal arthrodesis. Although some previous studies have shown the complications of spinal instruments removal, i.e. loss of correction and spinal collapse in scoliosis or long spine fusion patients, there has been no study describing the benefit or complications in lumbar spinal fusion surgery of one or two level. In order to clarify the effect of removal of instruments on mechanical motion profile, we simulated a finite element model of instrumented posterolateral fused lumbar spine model, and investigated the change of mechanical motion profiles after the removal of instrumentation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.163-166
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• 2011

Objective : Both the paraspinal muscle sparing approach and percutaneous screw fixation are less traumatic procedures in comparison with the conventional midline approach. These techniques have been used with the goal of reducing muscle injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and to compare the safety and efficacy of the paraspinal muscle sparing technique and percutaneous screw fixation for the treatment of L5-S1 spondylolisthesis. Methods : Twenty patients who had undergone posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) at the L5-S1 segment for spondylolisthesis were prospectively studied. They were divided into two groups by screw fixation technique (Group I : paraspinal muscle sparing approach and Group II: percutaneous screw fixation). Clinical outcomes were assessed by Low Back Outcome Score (LBOS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain at different times after surgery. In addition, modified MacNab's grading criteria were used to assess subjective patients' outcomes 6 months after surgery. Postoperative midline surgical scarring, intraoperative blood loss, mean operation time, and procedure-related complications were analyzed. Results : Excellent or good results were observed in all patients in both groups 6 months after surgery. Patients in both groups showed marked improvement in terms of LBOSs all over time intervals. Postoperative midline surgical scarring and intraoperative blood loss were lower in Group II compared to Group I although these differences were not statistically significant. Low back pain (LBP) and leg pain in both groups also showed significant improvement when compared to preoperative scores. However, at 7 days and 1 month after surgery, patients in Group II had significantly better LBP scores compared to Group I. Conclusion : In terms of LBP during the early postoperative period, patients who underwent percutaneous screw fixation showed better results compared to ones who underwent screw fixation via the paraspinal muscle sparing approach. Our results indicate that the percutaneous screw fixation procedure is the preferable minimally invasive technique for reducing LBP associated with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권4호
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• pp.503-508
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• 2018

Objective : Anterior odontoid screw fixation is a safe and effective method for the treatment of odontoid fractures. The surgical technique is recommended for perforation of the apical cortex of the dens by the lag screw. However, overpenetration of the apical cortex may lead to potentially serious complications such as damages of adjacent vascular and neural structures. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scan to evaluate the safe margin beyond dens tip to ventral dura for anterior odontoid screw fixation. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the three-dimensional CT scans of the cervical spines in 55 consecutive patients at our trauma center. The patients included 38 males and 17 females aged between 22 and 73 years (mean age${\pm}$standard deviation, $45.8{\pm}14.2years$). Using sagittal images of 3-dimensional CT scan, the safe margins beyond dens tip to ventral dura as well as the appropriate screw length were measured. Results : The mean width of the apical dens tip was $9.6{\pm}1.1mm$. The mean lengths from the screw entry point to the apical dens tip and posterior end of dens tip were $39.2{\pm}2.6mm$ and $36.6{\pm}2.4mm$. The safe margin beyond apical dens tip to ventral dura was $7.7{\pm}1.7mm$. However, the safe margin beyond the posterior end of dens tip to ventral dura was decreased to $2.1{\pm}3.2mm$, which was statistically significant (p<0.01). There were no significant differences of safe margins beyond dens tip to ventral dura with patient gender and age. Conclusion : Extension by several millimeters beyond the dens tip is safe, if the trajectory of anterior odontoid screw is targeted at the apical dens tip. However, if the trajectory of the screw is targeted to the posterior end of dens tip, extension beyond dens tip may lead to damage immediately adjacent to the vental dura mater.