Surgical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors for Cervical Spine Fractures in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) often results in progressive spinal stiffness, making patients prone to spinal fractures. Cervical spine fractures in AS mostly occur in the lower segment and cause progressive neurological deficits. However, the optimal approach to treating this patient population is still controversial, and it is unclear what factors have an impact on prognosis. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the choice of surgical approach and prognostic factors in AS patients with cervical spine fractures. A total of 22 AS patients with cervical fracture who were treated in our institution were reviewed from 2015 to 2020. We analyzed demographic data, perioperative complications, postoperative results, and radiographic results. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used to assess preoperative and postoperative spinal cord function, and the improvement rate was calculated. Twenty-two patients were enrolled, including 6 patients in the anterior approach group, 11 in the posterior approach group, and 5 in the combined approach group. The operative time and intraoperative blood loss in the anterior approach group were significantly less than those in the posterior approach group and combined approach group (P= 0.00). Patients who underwent surgery within 48hours of injury had a lower JOA score than patients who underwent surgery later (P= 0.01). Basic AS treatment before injury significantly improved JOA scores after surgery (P=0.01). All approaches can provide good clinical results, and thus, the surgical approach should be individualized. It remains unclear whether the operation should be performed as soon as possible. Basic AS treatment is an independent factor that affects the prognosis of cervical spine fracture patients with AS.