Posterior instrumentation of the unstable cervicothoracic spine

Fractures, tumors, and other causes of instability at the cervicothoracic junction pose diagnostic and treatment challenges. The authors report on 23 patients with instability of the cervicothoracic region, which was treated with posterior plate fixation and fusion between the lower cervical and upper thoracic spine. During operation AO reconstruction plates with 8- or 12-mm hole spacing were affixed to the spine using screws in the cervical lateral masses and the thoracic pedicles. Postoperative immobilization consisted of the patient's wearing a simple external brace for 2 months. The following parameters were analyzed during the pre- and postoperative treatment period: neurological status, spine anatomy and reconstruction, and complications. Follow up consisted of clinical and radiographic examinations (mean duration of follow up, 15.4 months. range, 6-41 months). No neurovascular or pulmonary complications arose from surgery. All patients achieved a solid arthrodesis based on flexion-extension radiographs. There was no significant change in angulation during the postoperative period, but one patient had an increase in translation that was not clinically significant. There were no hardware complications that required reoperation. One patient requested hardware removal in hopes of reducing postoperative pain in the cervicothoracic region. One postoperative wound infection required debridement but not hardware removal. The authors conclude that posterior plate fixation is a satisfactory method of treatment of cervicothoracic instability.