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PubMed · 7551582

Cervical spine stabilization. Surgical techniques.

I H Kalfas
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Abstract

Because of the virtually unlimited combination of injuries and disorders that can affect the cervical spine, no single stabilizing procedure can be advocated for all situations. As our understanding in the areas of spinal biomechanics, bone graft properties, internal fixation devices, and external immobilization has improved, advances have been made in the surgical stabilization of the cervical spine. These innovations are not necessarily intended to replace those proven methods that have been traditionally employed, but rather add to the armamentarium of available stabilizing techniques. With this broader selection of techniques, managing patients with an unstable cervical spine can be even more individualized in order to achieve an optimal outcome.

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Cervical VertebraeHumansInternal FixatorsSpinal FusionJournal Article

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I H Kalfas. 1995. Cervical spine stabilization. Surgical techniques.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7551582/

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PubMed2007

Surgical treatment of cervical kyphosis in Larsen syndrome: report of 3 cases and review of the literature.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case series. OBJECTIVE: To review the surgical results for midcervical kyphosis in 3 cases with Larsen syndrome, and to discuss the choice of surgical treatments. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical kyphosis is the most hazardous and serious manifestation of Larsen syndrome due to the risk of life-threatening paralysis, and thus usually requires surgical treatment. However, little information has been reported concerning surgical treatments for this challenging condition. METHODS: Three patients with Larsen syndrome were surgically treated for midcervical kyphosis at our institution. RESULTS: An infant with mild cervical kyphosis was successfully treated with posterior arthrodesis using a halo immobilization, and anterior vertebral growth with a mature posterior fusion mass resulted in spontaneous correction of the kyphosis. In the remaining 2 infants with myelopathic symptoms due to severe and structural kyphosis, anterior decompression and fusion via a lateral approach followed by posterior fusion with segmental spinal instrumentation and halo immobilization resulted in improved neurologic symptoms and solid fusion. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior spinal fusion is only indicated for patients with mild and flexible cervical kyphosis, and anterior decompression and circumferential arthrodesis is required for patients with severe kyphotic deformity, who usually develop myelopathic symptoms. Anterior surgery for such a small patient with severe kyphosis involves much higher risk of spinal cord injury during decompression maneuvers and difficulty in stabilization of the reconstructed cervical spine. Therefore, all patients with Larsen syndrome should be screened with radiographs at the first visit to detect cervical kyphosis early so that posterior alone fusion is possible.

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