Objective To observe the clinical outcomes of Hangman fracture treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Methods A total of 41 patients with Hangman fracture were retrospectively analyzed, who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion from May 2010 to May 2016. Intervertebral bone graft fusion was observed through postoperative radiographic images, and improvement of symptoms was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale (m-JOA). Surgical complications were evaluated as well. Results No severe complications occurred after surgery, but 5 patients had a transient dysphagia, which relieved spontaneously. Thirty-five patients had a fusion of intervertebral bone graft 3 months after surgery, and the remaining 6 patients did at the last follow-up. The VAS score was improved from 4.5±1.6 pre-operatively to 2.4±1.7 immediately post-operatively (P>0.05), and was further improved to 0.7±0.9 at the last follow-up (P<0.05). The NDI score was improved from 29.3±10.9 pre-operatively to 13.2±5.4 immediately post-operatively (P<0.05), and was further improved to 4.6±3.1 at the last follow-up (P<0.05). The m-JOA score was improved from 8.4±2.3 pre-operatively to 11.6±3.5 immediately post-operatively (P<0.05), and was further improved to 14.3±2.0 at the last follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusion Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion can be used in Hangman fracture, which is safe and reliable.
Objective To investigate the possible mechanism and fracture stability of subtypes of type B Hangman’s fracture by using imaging observation. Methods Patients with type B Hangman’s fractures admitted to multiple centers between January 2008 and October 2023 were selected as the research objects. The clinical data and imaging data of patients who met the selection criteria were extracted. The patients’ age, gender, cause of fracture, disease duration, visual analogue scale (VAS) score of neck pain, neck disability index (NDI), and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification of spinal cord function were collected. Based on the imaging data, the anatomical structure of the contralateral superior articular process fracture, the relationship between the superior articular process fracture line and the position of the odontoid process, the associated posterior vertebral wall fracture and its classification, the incidence of vertebral arch floating and C2, 3 instability were observed. The superior articular fracture angle (SAFA), superior articular fracture displacement distance (SAFD), and C2 vertebral body rotation (VBRA) were measured. According to the anatomical structure of the contralateral superior articular process fracture, the patients were divided into a pedicle fracture group (POA group), a inferior articular process fracture group (IAP group), and a laminar fracture group (CSL group). The baseline data and imaging indexes were analyzed between groups, and the imaging anatomical characteristics of each subtype of fracture were observed to explore its possible mechanism and fracture stability.Results A total of 86 cases of type B Hangman’s fractures were collected. There were 67 males and 19 females. The mean age was 51.0 years (range, 21-78 years). There were 48 cases of pedicle fracture (POA group), 25 cases of inferior articular process fracture (IAP group), and 13 cases of laminar fracture (CSL group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, cause of fracture, disease duration, VAS score of neck pain, and NDI between groups (P>0.05). However, the incidence of spinal cord injury in POA group was the highest (P<0.05). The incidences of superior articular process fracture line posterior to the odontoid process and posterior vertebral wall fracture in POA group were the highest (P<0.05). The incidences of vertebral arch floating and C2, 3 instability in IAP group were the highest (P<0.05). There were significant differences in SAFA and VBRA between groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SAFD between groups (P>0.05). The differences in the incidences of fracture displacement>3 mm and VBRA>5° between groups were significant (P<0.05). There were 78 cases of unstable Hangman’s fracture, including 2 cases of simple C2、3 instability, 22 cases of simple axis rotation and displacement instability, 8 cases of simple vertebral arch floating instability, and the rest of the patients had two or more types of instability. Conclusion The mechanism of different subtypes of type B Hangman’s fracture may be that the lateral mass of the rotation of the atlas applied the overextension compression force to the unilateral superior articular process of the axis vertebra, and the contralateral pedicle, inferior articular process and lamina fractures were caused by direct violence or/and rotational violence to different degrees. The decomposition of this type of fracture into C2, 3 intervertebral, axis vertebra body displacement and rotation and vertebral arch floating instability is beneficial to the treatment and surgical approach selection.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of anterior cervical plate internal fixation in the treatment of unstable Hangman fracture. MethodsBetween May 2006 and May 2010, 42 patients with unstable Hangman fracture were treated by anterior cervical plate internal fixation. There were 30 males and 12 females with an average age of 36.5 years (range, 22-64 years). According to the Levine-Edwards classification, 25 cases were rated as type Ⅱ, 15 cases as type Ⅱ A, and 2 cases as type Ⅲ. Eight patients had spinal cord injury. The average interval between injury and operation was 5 days (range, 3-14 days). The X-ray, CT, and MRI were done pre-and post-operatively to evaluate the cervical physiological curvature, the intervertebral disc height of C2,3, the fracture-healing, and bone fusion. The effectiveness was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) for occipito-cervical pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) for cervical spine function, and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for neurological functional recovery. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention. No neurological deterioration or internal fixation failure was observed. All of the patients were followed up 2-5 years (mean, 3.5 years). The complications were dysdipsia in 3 cases and dysphagia in 4 cases, which alleviated spontaneously after 1 week. All the patients were almost free from occipito-cervical pain and the limited cervical spine motion. Neurological function was improved in 8 cases of spinal cord injury, and complete decompression was observed in 6 cases who had spinal cord compression. The bone fusion was observed at 6.5 months on average (range, 6-8 months); the mean fracture-healing time was 10.5 months (range, 9-12 months). The VAS, NDI, and JOA scores were significantly improved at 3 months after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05), significant improvement scores were achieved at last follow-up when compared with the scores at 3 months (P<0.05). The intervertebral disc height of C2,3, the reconstructed curvature and stability of the cervical spine, and the spine movement were good. ConclusionThe method of anterior cervical plate internal fixation can achieve satisfactory reduction and fusion, less complications, negligible impact on the cervical movement. So it is an ideal method to treat unstable Hangman fracture.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of the diagnosis and treatment of Hangman fracture. MethodsThe original articles about the diagnosis and treatment of Hangman fracture were extensively reviewed and analyzed. ResultsNot only X-ray, but also MRI and CT scans are necessory for the diagnosis and assessment of Hangman fractures. The treatment of unstable Hangman fracture included posterior C2, C3 fixation, anterior C2, C3 fixation, and anterior C2, C3 fixation combined with posterior C2 pedicle screw fixation. The anterior surgical fixation is used by the anterior retropharyngeal approach or subaxial anterior approach, and it has the advantages of directly resecting the injured C2, C3 discs, getting a satisfactory cervical spine alignment, and avoiding the postoperative axial pain. However, posterior surgical fixation using C2 pedicle screw has the risks of neurovascular injuries. ConclusionThe surgical technique of Hangman fracture should be determined based on the patient's injury and surgeon's experience. Randomized control trials of different surgical techniques should be performed.
Objective To share the experience of the diagnosis and treatment of children with hand-foot-mouth disease. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 31 children with hand-foot-mouth disease in our hospital from April 2007 to June 2007 in terms of epidemiology, clinical features, treatment and prognosis. Results The average age of the children was 2.8 years, and 20 out of the 31 cases were from nurseries and kindergartens. Eighteen had clear contact history. Typical signs and symptoms, including oral ulcerative herpes and blister-like rash in extremities, were found in all cases. All the children were cured after timely diagnosis and early treatment with ribavirin, without any severe complications. Conclusion Timely treatment based on early diagnosis and considerate care are important for children with hand-foot-mouth disease. Nurseries, kindergartens and primary schools should attach great importance to relevant prophylaxis and isolation. These are essential for reducing the occurrence and prevalence of this disease.
Objective To investigate the procedure and applications ofantegrade and retrograde dorsal metacarpal flaps with cutaneous branches as pedicles in repairing soft tissue defects of wrist and fingers. Methods From 1995 to 2003, we observed that the proximal and distal branches, deriving from the dorsal metacarpal artery, formed a consistent anastomosis arc subdermally. The anastomosis arc was paralleled to the dorsal metacarpal artery. Antegrade and retrograde dorsal metacarpal flaps could be designed using proximal anddistal branches as pedicles. Twenty-seven cases of soft tissue defects were treated by use of dorsal metacarpal flaps with cutaneous branches as pedicles, including 3 cases of defects on dorsum of hand with antegrade flaps, and 24 cases of defects on fingers with retrograde flaps ( index finger:12 cases; middle finger: 6 cases; ring finger: 4 cases; and little finger:2 cases). The dimensions of the antegrade flaps were 2.0 cm×4.0 cm～4.0 cm×6.0 cm, and the dimensions of theretrograde flaps were 2.5 cm×3.5 cm～3.0 cm×7.0 cm.The incision of the donor site was closed directly. Results All flaps survived. After a follow-up of 13 years, the texture and color of the flaps were good, and the shape and function of the donors were normal. Conclusion The antegrade or retrograde flap pedicled with the distal or proximal cutaneous branches of thedorsal metacarpal artery, is an optimal flap in repairing finger or wrist softtissue defects.
Objective To study the repair and function reconstruction of complex soft tissue defect of posterior of hand and forearm. Methods From May 2001 to November 2003, 8 cases of soft tissue defect of posterior of hand and forearm were repaired with thoracico abdominal flaps with hilum for primary stage. The tendon transplantation and allogeneic tendon function reconstruction of hand were performed for secondary stage. The range of the flap was 9 cm×15 cm to 12cm×38 cm. Allogeneic tendon amounted to 6.Results All the flaps survived. The flap countour was good. The results of allogeneic tendon transplantation were satisfactory and the function of hand was good. Conclusion Repairing complex soft tissue defect of posterior of hand and forearm and reconstructing hand function by use of thoracico abdominal flaps with hilum and transplantation of allogeneic tendon have the satisfactory clinical results.
From jan.1984 through dec.1991,65 cases of hand skin defects were primarily repaired by podicled groin flap. Four of the 65 cases had skin defects on both sides of the palms and dorsal aspot of the hands which were treated by the Y-shaped hypogastric groin flap .Five easec had thumb loss in which the lxdicled groin tubed flap was used to reconstruct the thumb.The time of division of the pedicles ranged from 14 to 28 days(averaged 16 days).All flape survived after division of the podicl...
OBJECTIVE: To investigate a clinical method in repairing destructive hand injury and reconstructing hand function in early stage. METHODS: From January 1990 to June 1999, composite tissue transplantation was used to repair destructive hand damage and reconstruct hand function with vascular anastomosis in emergency (33 cases) or subemergency (126 cases). For the radial damage, combined flaps with toes was used to treat cicatricial contracture of thumb-web space. Opposing function of thumb was reconstructed by combined transplantation of short extensor muscle of great toe, short extensor muscle of toes or short abductor muscle of great toe in the same time of freeing the second toe. For no or deficient anastomosing vessels in donor site, "Y"--shaped reversal vein, anterograde bridging, or branches bridging of host vessels were applied. RESULTS: All of tissue transplantation were survived, including combined tissue transplantation in 51 cases, composite tissue transplantation in 4 cases, tissue transplantation after replantation of severed wrist and finger in 4 cases, there were no infection or necrosis in all cases, and hand function recovered well. CONCLUSION: It is an ideal procedure to repair destructive hand injury and reconstruct hand function by combined or composite tissue transplantation with vascular anastomosis in emergency or subemergency.
Forty-eight cases of multi-structural defects of hands were primarily repaired or reconstructed from July 1989 to 1997. The structural defects included: the defects of radial or ulnar aspect of hands involving fingers and skin, multiple fingers defects and the fingers and skin defects of whole hand. In this series, there were 32 males and 16 females with age ranged from 17 to 46 years old. The composite tissue grafts were obtained from wrap-around flap or 2nd toe skin flap of the foot. The result showed that composite 108 tissues transplantations, or 48 cases, were all survived. After a follow-up of 38.5 months (ranged from 5 months to 6 years), the grasp, pinch and opposition function of the reconstructed finger were restored, the two-point discrimination sensation was 4 mm-12 mm. Most of the patients had resumed their original works. So that the primary repair of multi-structural defects of hands by composite tissues transplantation was feasible and valuable, but thorough debridement and skilled microsurgecal technique were required.