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International Journal of Orthopaedics Sciences 2022; 8(1): 396-399
E-ISSN: 2395-1958
P-ISSN: 2706-6630
IJOS 2022; 8(1): 396-399
© 2022 IJOS
www.orthopaper.com
Received: 09-11-2021
Accepted: 11-12-2021
Shagor Kumar Sarker
Assistant Professor, Department
of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib
Medical University (BSMMU),
Shahbag, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Syed Shahidul Islam
Professor, Department of
Orthopaedic Surgery, National
Institute of Traumatology and
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
(NITOR), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Chowdhury Iqbal Mahmud
Associate Professor, Department
of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib
Medical University (BSMMU),
Shahbag, Dhaka 1000,
Bangladesh
Md. Anowarul Islam
Professor, Spinal Surgery Unit,
Department of Orthopaedic
Surgery, BSMMU, Dhaka,
Bangladesh.
Md. Mahmudur Rahman
Assistant Professor, Department
of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ad-Din
Medical College, Dhaka,
Bangladesh
Sajeeb Imtiazur Rahman
Resident, Department of
Orthopaedic Surgery,
NITOR, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Corresponding Author:
Shagor Kumar Sarker
Assistant Professor, Department
of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib
Medical University (BSMMU),
Shahbag, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) with
Stabilization by cervical locking plate and screw in
traumatic sub-axial incomplete cervical spine injury:
Early experience
Shagor Kumar Sarker, Syed Shahidul Islam, Chowdhury Iqbal Mahmud,
Md. Anowarul Islam, Md. Mahmudur Rahman and Sajeeb Imtiazur
Rahman
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2022.v8.i1f.3046
Abstract
Introduction: Cervical spine injuries represent 2 to 6% of adult blunt trauma, and one third of all spinal
injuries. Anterior approach of operative management of cervical spinal injury with incomplete
neurological lesion has least analyzed in our settings, the present study has been designed to evaluate the
outcome of ACDF and stabilization by cervical plate and screw for managing traumatic cervical spine
injury with incomplete neurological deficit.
Methods: This study was conducted at NITOR, Dhaka, from July 2016 to June 2018.Twenty available
patients meeting the inclusion & exclusion criteria were included. All cases were properly evaluated pre-
operatively and underwent ACDF & stabilization with cervical plate and screws. Follow up was done for
5 to 12 months. The final assessment was done by ASIA impairment scale, MRC grading, Bridewell
fusion grade, Denis work & pain scale and modified Odom’s criteria.
Results: Highest number of patients 10 (50%) were in ASIA grade B, 7(35.0%) patients were in ASIA
grade D and 3(15.0%) patients were in ASIA grade C on admission. But in last follow up, highest
number of patients were in ASIA grade E (45%). The ASIA grade has improved 1 grade in 55% cases.
Bridewell fusion grade showed anterior fusion grade I in 55% of cases, grade II in 45% cases. 60% of
cases were in W2 group of Denis work scale after last follow up. Early post-operative complications
were dysphagia (20%), respiratory distress (5%) and neck pain (20%). Late post-operative complications
were neck pain (10%), donor site pain (5%) and bed sore (5%). According to modified Odom’s criteria,
65% of the cases were found excellent.
Conclusion: On the basis of the results in this study, it can be said that anterior cervical decompression,
stabilization and fusion by bone graft of the patients who have traumatic unstable cervical spine injury
with incomplete neurological lesion will provide effective benefit.
Keywords: Cervical spine injury, incomplete neurological deficit, ACDF
Introduction
The cervical spine is functionally the most important region of the spine. But it is difficult to
assess because of its complex anatomy, biomechanics and the complex mechanism of injury of
spinal trauma. So careful assessment of the region is vital as any error will have devastating
consequences for the patients. Cervical spinal injury occurs most frequently in the young male
patient with an average age of 35 years
[1]
. Cervical spinal cord injury may be complete,
resulting in quadriplegia and incomplete resulting in anterior cord syndrome, central cord
syndrome, Brown-Sequard syndrome, and specific nerve root injury. Approximately 40% of
cervical spinal cord injury patients presents with complete spinal cord injuries and 20% with
either no cord or only root lesions
[2]
. Cervical spine dislocation is not an uncommon
phenomenon. It carries a double threat as it also damage neural tissues as well. Unilateral facet
dislocation usually results from flexion and rotation of the cervical spine. The most common
site is C5-6. Patient may present with an isolated nerve root injury or an incomplete
neurological deficit. The injury may be purely ligamentous causing dislocation. In less than
50% of patients, closed reduction is not successful
[3]
. Those who sustain a complete spinal
cord injury are unlikely to regain functions below the level of injury. Incomplete injuries
usually show some degree of improvement over time, but in most of the cases improvement is