The conventional treatment for atlantoaxial dislocation is atlantoaxial fixation and fusion using the Goel-Harms technique, which involves a midline incision, dissection of the occipital muscle group, and is associated with disadvantages such as damage to the posterior ligament and muscle, high incidence of postoperative occipital cervical pain, and significant blood loss due to intraoperative bleeding and postoperative drainage. Since 2013, various studies have reported minimally invasive posterior atlantoaxial lateral mass joint fusion techniques through muscle spaces, but previous studies were all case reports, without sufficient reliability and controlled studies. The Department of Orthopedics at Peking University Third Hospital has been using the minimal invasive surgery-posterior atlantoaxial lateral mass joint fusion (Mis-PALF) technique for the treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation since 2015, with preliminary good clinical results. In order to further compare the advantages and disadvantages of the two surgical methods from a larger sample, a randomized controlled study is planned. The patients will be randomly divided into two groups, with the experimental group receiving the Mis-PALF surgery and the control group receiving open atlantoaxial fusion and fixation. There will be a 1-2 year follow-up to compare the safety and effectiveness of the two surgical methods for the treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Make a 4.5 cm incision along the median line and then dissect the trapezius, splenius capitis, and semispinalis capitis muscle laterally 1.5 cm off the median line. Retract the obliquus capitis inferior muscle to expose the C1-C2 intra-articular space. Remove the articular cartilage, insert allogenic granular bone and 3D-printed cage. Place the screws and rod in the same positions as conventional surgery, and the operation is completed.
The Goel-Harms procedure will be used in the control group. Screws and rods are placed in the same position as in the experimental group, and a negative-pressure drain was placed until daily drainage was \<50 mL.
Peking University Third Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
Perioperative Blood Loss
Blood loss due to intraoperative bleeding and postoperative drainage.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Postoperative Stay
The time from the completion of surgery to the patient leaving hospital.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Level of Occipitocervical Pain
The level of patients' occipitocervical pain is described by Numerical Rating Scale, from zero to ten, and ten means the most pain.
Time frame: 12 months
Main location of occipitocervical pain
The location of patients' occipitocervical pain is indicated by patients on a diagram illustrating the anatomical regions of the head and neck.
Time frame: 12 months
Painkillers Used for Occipitocervical Pain
Patients are asked about whether they used any painkillers for occipitocervical pain and which painkillers they used.
Time frame: 12 months
Incidence of Adverse Events
This metric is defined as the proportion of adverse events that manifest during the study's duration relative to the total number of patients enrolled. Adverse events encompass a range of critical factors, including but not limited to: Neurological deterioration, Incision infection, Vascular injury, Airway obstruction, Poor reduction, Unplanned readmission and re-surgery, Internal fixation failure, Fusion failure, Surgical-related lower cervical spine deformities.
Time frame: 12 months
Atlantoaxial Reduction Rate
To gauge the effectiveness of the surgical interventions in achieving atlantoaxial reduction, postoperative CT scans of the head and neck will be conducted. Measurements will be taken of the distance between the odontoid process and key reference lines, including Chamberlain's line (CL), Wackenheim line (WL), McRae line (ML), and atlantodental interval (ADI). The reduction rate will be calculated by comparing the postoperative measurements to the preoperative values, expressed as a ratio.
Time frame: 12 months
Bone Graft Fusion Rate
Evaluation of the proportion of patients exhibiting successful bone fusion between the atlas and axis will be conducted through postoperative three-dimensional CT examinations of the cervical spine. The bone graft fusion rate will be determined by calculating the number of patients with evident fusion relative to the total number of patients enrolled.
Time frame: 12 months
Improvement Rate of Quality of Life
The quality of life for each patient will be assessed using the Short Form 12-Item(SF-12) Health Survey. SF-12 scores ranges from 0 to 100, and 100 usually means healthier in a certain dimension. The improvement rate in quality of life will be calculated based on the preoperative and postoperative differences in SF-12 scores. This indicator offers insights into the impact of surgical interventions on patients' overall well-being and quality of life, providing a vital perspective on treatment effectiveness.
Time frame: 12 months
Improvement of Neurological Function
To assess the extent of neurological function improvement, patients' Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) scores one year after surgery will be compared with their preoperative scores. JOA score ranges form 0 to 17, and 0 means worse neurological function. The JOA improvement rate will be calculated based on the cervical JOA score, employing the Hirabayashi method formula: JOA Improvement Rate = (Postoperative JOA Score - Preoperative JOA Score) / (17 - Preoperative JOA Score) \* 100%.
Time frame: 12 months
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