[Operation on upper cervical instability without injury].

OBJECTIVE

To study operative methods of treating upper cervical spine instability without injury.

METHODS

Twenty-three cases were treated by internal fixation with autologous bone grafts. Atlantoaxial arthrodesis were performed in 10 cases with interlaminar clamp (5 cases), Atlas cable system (3 cases) and Brooks (2 cases). Occipitocervical fusion were performed in the other 13 cases by using of CD-cervical (3 cases), Cervifix (8 cases) and U-stick fixation (2 cases).

RESULTS

All the 23 cases were followed up for 2. 5 years in average (ranged from 6 months to 5 years). Solid arthrodesis was obtained in all 23 cases. Six months after operation, of the 20 cases with pre-operation nervous lesion, improvement was achieved in 16 cases. According to JOA standard and Hirabashi formula, the rate of improvement was 27.1%.

CONCLUSION

Posterior fusion is recommended for upper cervical instability.