Percutaneous anterior screw fixation in the treatment of odontoid fractures

Abstract

Objective To retrospectively analyze the treatment of odontoid fractures using percutaneous and open anterior screw fixation,and compare the clinical and radiographic results of the two techniques.Methods From March 2003 to May 2010,115 patients with odontoid fracture were treated with anterior screw fixation,and all patients were followed up.The mean age of the patients was 43.5 years (range,16-71).Forty-seven patients who underwent percutaneous anterior screw fixation were set as the percutaneous fixation group,including 42 cases of type Ⅱ odontoid fracture and 5 of rostral type Ⅲ fracture.Sixtyeight patients who received open anterior screw fixation were set as the open fixation group,composing of 61cases of type Ⅱ odontoid fracture and 7 of rostral type Ⅲ fracture.We compared the operative time,intraoperative blood loss,X-ray exposure time,fracture union and complications between the two groups.Results The average follow-up duration was 37.6 months with a range of 12-70 months.The gender,age,classification of odontoid fractures,time after the injuries and concomitant spinal injuries showed a similar pattern in both groups.The operating time and intra-operative blood loss in percutaneous fixation group were (40.3±9.5)min and (5.6±4.1) ml respectively,and in open fixation group were (62.9±15.3) min and (47.1±28.6) ml respectively,both of them were significantly superior in percutaneous fixation group than in open fixation group (P＜0.05).There was no statistical difference in radiation exposure time,fracture union and incidence of complication between the two groups.Conclusion Comparing with open screw fixation,percutaneous anterior screw fixation is a safe and reliable procedure for treatment of type Ⅱ and rostral type Ⅲ odontoid fractures with potential advantages. Key words: Odontoid process; Fracture fixation, internal; Surgical procedures, minimally invasive