STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective clinical study.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of occipitothoracic fusion for severe destructive cervical lesions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with myelopathy and/or occipitocervical pain, and to discuss surgical complications. The complication rates are compared between 2 groups treated with different instrumentation techniques.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Few studies have reported on the results of occipitothoracic fusion in RA patients.

METHODS

In this study, 56 RA patients with myelopathy and/or occipitocervical pain caused by destructive cervical lesions were studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups A and B, according to the used rod diameter and the application of the cervical pedicle screw system. Group A included 38 patients treated with Unit rods (4.75 mm). Group B included 18 patients treated with cervical pedicle screw system (3.2 mm or 3.5 mm diameter rod). Clinical results and surgical complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up time was 36.2 months. Fifteen patients died during follow-up at the mean age of 67.3 years. None died from their cervical lesions. The neurologic status in 46 patients (82%) had improved at least 1 class in the modified Ranawat scale. Perioperative complications occurred in 16 (28.6%), thoracic spine lesions in 11 (19.6%), implant failure in 13 (23.2%), and surgical site infection in 8 (14.3%). There was a tendency for more fractures and pedicle screw pullouts at the lowest level of the fusion area to occur in group B. The neurologic improvement of patients undergoing occipitothoracic fusion after becoming unable to sit owing to their neurologic deficit was poor.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study suggests that occipitothoracic fusion for rheumatoid destructive cervical lesions can be effective in improving neurologic deficit if performed while patients can still sit. Improvements to methodology of this surgery can be made.