Cervical Transpedicular Fixation Aided by Biplanar Flouroscopy

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the accuracy of fluoroscopy-assisted cervical transpedicular fixation in different pathologies. Methods. 28 men and 17 women aged 34 to 65 (mean, 41) years underwent 210 one-stage cervical transpedicular fixations. The indications were trauma (n=35), degenerative disease leading to cervical spondylotic myelopathy (n=4), tumours (n=4), and Pott's disease (n=2). Regarding the 35 trauma patients, fractures were at C5–C6 (n=22), C4–C5 (n=8), and C3–C5 (n=5); 16 of them had dislocated vertebrae, of whom 13 had cervical disc herniation. Two of the patients with degenerative disease underwent additional laminectomy. Both anterior and posterior surgeries were performed for the 2 of the patients with tumours; all other patients underwent posterior surgery only. The length, diameters, and frontal, sagittal, and longitudinal angles of all pedicle screws were calculated. The dominant vertebral artery was detected using Doppler ultrasonography. Biplanar fluoroscopy was also used. Postoperatively, patients were allowed to mobilise at day 1; a collar was not used. The position of the pedicle screws was graded. Results. The mean operating time was 105 (range, 90–155) minutes. The mean follow-up period was 26 (range, 17–34) months. Of the 210 pedicles fixed, 192 (91%) were at the correct screw position (grade I), 16 (8%) were at an acceptable position (grade II), and 2 (1%) were completely perforated but without morbidity (grade III). The overall perforation rate was 9%. There were no neurovascular injuries or instrumentation-associated complications (failure of implant components, screw loosening, or lucent zone formation around the pedicle screws). The fusion rate was 100%. Conclusion. Cervical transpedicular fixation provides strong stabilisation. With the aid of biplanar fluoroscopy, the risk of pedicle perforation was about 8%, but no neurovascular injury was ensued.