To evaluate the learning curve associated with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in posterior C1-C2 trans-articular (TAS) screw fixation based on surgical and clinical parameters. Also, to report the challenges faced and measures to overcome them.
84 patients who underwent C1-C2 MIS-TAS between 2009-2014 were included in the study and were divided into four quartiles (q) (21 patients each) based on the date of their surgery with each consecutive group serving as a control for prior. Pre- and post-operative clinical and perioperative parameters, technical issues and complications were evaluated.
The mean age of the patients was 36.26±5.78 years (20-78 years) with male to female ratio of 48:36. A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean operative time and mean blood loss between second and third quartile. Inadvertent vertebral artery injury occurred in 3 cases without any post-operative sequelae. There were 6 instances of guide wire migration(q1=4, q2=2). At 2 instances (q1=2) there was guide wire breakage. Total 9 times (q1=5, q2=2, q3=1, q4=1) dorsal burst into C2 pars occurred. VAS, ODI and mJOA scores showed a significant improvement from their pre-operative values in the entire study population without any significant difference between the quartiles.
C1-C2 MIS-TAS is a very safe and effective means of treating reducible atlanto-axial instability. Pre-operative planning, detailed radiological evaluation, practice on cadavers/bone-saw models and by following the mentioned recommendations the learning curve of C1-C2 MIS-TAS can be reduced.
It has been constantly attempted by surgeons along the entire globe to achieve optimum surgical outcomes with minimal collateral damage in spinal surgeries. This thought formed the core idea behind minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) which reduces the morbidity of the conventional surgical technique while providing a favorable outcome at par or beyond that of the conventional route. The atlanto-axial joint has a large range of movement, but that movement comes at a cost of increased instability which is frequently encountered in clinical practice. This condition has been well documented and researched with a variety of surgical procedures devoted in providing a substantiated long-term solution [
The purpose of the present article is to evaluate the learning curve of C1-C2 MIS-TAS based on clinical and surgical parameters and to delineate the challenges encountered during initial cases while providing recommendations to avoid the problems.
After taking institutional ethical board committee approval, data of first 84 patients with different etiologies operated by C1-C2 MIS-TAS technique between 2009 and 2014 by a single surgeon at a single institute with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were retrieved (
These 84 patients were arranged in sequence of their dates of surgery and divided into four quartiles with 21 patients each and each consecutive group serving as a control for prior.
Demographics, Pre- and post-operative clinical parameters (pain scores: VAS; functional disability: ODI and mJOA scores), perioperative parameters (operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay), technical issues (guide wire migration, broken guide wire, dorsal screw burst out and poor screw trajectory), complications (dural tear, neural injury, infection, vertebral artery injury) and fusion rates (according to the Bridwell criteria) were evaluated.
After anesthetic induction, the patient was placed in the prone position and cranium was fixed using a Gardner-Wells tong along with appropriate weight traction (
Fluoroscopic imaging was done prior to rigid fixation of Gardner-Wells head holding tong to the table so as to ensure proper alignment and positioning. A C2 centered skin incision was made with an objective to subperiosteally expose the inferior arches of C1 and C2 vertebrae and to not disturb the facet capsule and interspinous ligament of C2 and C3. The C2 pars interarticularis was exposed and clearly defined. Prior to the initiation of drilling, the C1-C2 joint was opened using a Mcdonald or penfield and the joint surface was curetted. The extreme dorsal and medial facets of C1 and C2 articulation line over the inferior aspect of C2 lamina were retrogradely projected to provide a site of entry as well as probable direction. Incision was made at a point located 1cm laterally to the T1-T2 midline region.
Using a drill guide, once firmly positioned, a high-speed burr was utilized to provide an initial hole/starter hole at the designated entry site at level of C2 to operationalize the trans-articular fixation process (
A single dose of intravenous antibiotic was given preoperatively and post-operatively as a standard protocol and most of the patients were discharged within 48-72 hrs post-surgery. All the patients were advised to wear soft cervical collar and followed up at 10-12 days post-surgery for removal of stitches. Neck exercises started at 3 weeks. Patients were followed up at regular intervals (six weeks, three months, six months, and yearly) and evaluated for clinical, radiological parameters and post-operative complication.
Standard SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis. The parameters in different quartiles were compared using analysis of variance test. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
The mean age of the patients was 36.26±5.78 years (20-78 years) with male to female ratio of 48:36. The patient’s distribution in each quartile was uniform and homogeneous with regards to demographics.
The mean operative time was 113.47±13.13 min(range: 90-180 mins) (q1=122.11±15.05 min, q2=120.88±11.22 min, q3=109.45± 17.15 min, q4=101.15±9.10 min). The mean blood loss was 119.75 ml±14.64 ml (q1=136.88±17.70 ml, q2=128.97±14.22ml, q3=110.12 ±9.88 ml, q4=105.54±16.78 ml). A statistically significant difference was observed between the operative time (p<0.0145) and blood loss (p<0.0001) in second and third quartile. The mean blood loss and operative time in third and fourth quartile was reduced significantly as compared to the first and second quartile due to familiarity, increased skill and confidence in performing the procedure (
The mean duration of hospital stay was 5 days (4-7 days) with no significant difference among the different quartiles. VAS(preop, postop), ODI (preop, postop) and mJOA (preop, postop) scores showed a significant improvement from their pre-operative values in the entire study population, but there was no significant difference between the quartiles (
There were 3 cases of inadvertent vascular damage (q1=2, q3=1) during the insertion of second screw, but were managed with the help of tamponade and screw insertion with uneventful sequelae. There were 4 incidences of guide wire migration in first quartile which reduced to 2 in second and single in third and fourth quartile. There were 2 incidences of broken guide wires in first quartile which were removed during the surgery. Total 9 times (q1=5, q2=2, q3=1, q4=1) dorsal burst into C2 pars occurred. Significant reduction in dorsal burst of screw in C2 pars was observed between first and the fourth quartile There was no adverse neurological manifestation during or after the procedure in any group (
Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) is characterized by excessive movement at the junction between the atlas (C1) and axis (C2). The different methods for C1-C2 fixation include posterior methods with interlaminar clamps, wiring techniques, pedicle screw fixation and trans-articular screw fixation. TAS fixation with wiring has advanced in its use in surgical practice owing to the high fusion rates of the instability articulations resulting from a 3-point fixation. We hypothesized that the posterior wiring construct may be non-essential for fusion. The reason we arrived at this hypothesis was because of multiple literature reporting that a sustained excellent outcome is possible despite wire failure. In our previous study we found a fusion rate of 97.5% without the use of wires [
Duration of surgery, quantity of blood loss and hospital stay in our study was found to lower than that by other authors [
The advantages associated with this approach are all the advantages associated with minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) like less duration of surgery, less muscle stripping, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, lower complications and early mobilization. Along with these, avoidance of C1-C2 wiring saves time and prevent from all the wiring related complications, and use of allograft reduces donor site morbidity. We have seen 100% fusion rates without any implant related delayed complications however long term studies are needed to determine that. The disadvantages are a steep learning curve and the limited indications like reducible atlanto-axial instability. To reduce the steep learning curve associated with MIS-TAS the recommendations are: In depth pre-operative assessment of patient and Extensive radiological imaging to ascertain anatomical variations, judicious use of Intra-operative fluoroscopy, using proper fixation and alignment for optimal positioning, use of models or simulators prior to actual surgery for skill enhancement, Practice sessions on cadavers/models, Designing effective mentoring programs.
The limitations in our study was the retrospective nature, small sample size and lack of surgeon diversity. There was no way to assess variation in learning pattern among different surgeons and not all individuals are equally proficient in adapting to newer patterns. The sample population was homogenous and their etiology was varied, however a larger sample size with a broader base and wider demographics would have been a more appropriate setting for definitive learning pattern recognition.
C1-C2 MIS-TAS is a very safe and effective means of treating reducible atlanto-axial instability with good clinical and radiological outcomes. Pre-operative planning, detailed radiological evaluation, practice on cadavers/bone-saw models and by following the mentioned recommendations the learning curve of C1-C2 MIS-TAS can be reduced.
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article.
Pre-operative positioning of the patient with Gardner-Wells tong along with appropriate weight traction.
Image showing minimal incision taken for visualization of joint and both guide wire placed.
Lateral fluoroscopic image of entry and trajectory of guide wire for posterior C1-C2 trans-articular screw.
34-Year-old female with atlantoaxial instability secondary to tuberculosis. Ⓐ: Preoperative flexion extension radiograph showing atlantoaxial instability. Ⓑ : Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showing destruction of axis with increase soft tissue mass around C1–C2. Ⓒ: Postoperative radiograph showing fusion but not extending completely from C1 to C2. Ⓓ: Sagittal view of follow-up CT scan showing C1–C2 union. Ⓔ : Coronal view of postoperative CT scan showing intra-articular fusion. CT, computed tomography.
Etiology of atlanto-axial instability
Etiology | Number of Cases |
---|---|
Traumatic C1-C2 instability | 33 |
Odontoid Non-union | 18 |
Rheumatoid arthritis | 9 |
Tuberculosis | 8 |
Hypoplastic atlas | 7 |
Osteoarthritis | 5 |
Klippel feil syndrome | 4 |
Perioperative parameters
Parameters | 1st Quartile | 2nd Quartile | 3rd Quartile | 4th Quartile |
---|---|---|---|---|
Operative time (Minutes) (mean) | 122.11±15.05 | 120.88±11.22 | 109.45±17.15 | 101.15±9.10 |
Blood loss (ml) (mean) | 136.88±17.70 | 128.97±14.22 | 110.12±9.88 | 105.54±16.78 |
Comparison of preoperative and postoperative clinical parameters in different quartiles
1st Quartile | 2nd Quartile | 3rd Quartile | 4th Quartile | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-op VAS | 7.3±2.28 | 7.1±2.33 | 8.6.±2.16 | 7.98±2.20 |
Post-op VAS | 3.4±1.82 | 4.1±1.88 | 3.8±1.12 | 3.0±1.22 |
Pre-op ODI | 78.3±5.13 | 74.3±3.82 | 79.8±4.83 | 72.3±5.03 |
Post-op ODI | 36.05±3.76 | 37.05±3.66 | 39.15±4.16 | 33.05±2.28 |
Pre-op mJOA | 15.33±3.69 | 14.33±3.22 | 15.15±2.19 | 15.43±2.19 |
Post-op mJOA | 16.5±2.2 | 16.8±3.1 | 16.59±2.12 | 17.25±2.42 |
Technical issues and complications
Guide wire migration | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Broken guide wire | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
dorsal burst | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Dural leaks | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Vertebral artery injury | 2 | Nil | 1 | Nil |
Neurological complications | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |