Affiliation:
1. General Hospital of Southern Theater Command
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
Autologous iliac bone is commonly used as a bone graft material to achieve solid fusion in craniocervical junction (CVJ) surgery. However, the developing iliac bone of children is less than ideal as a bone graft material. The matured rib bone of children presents a potential substitute material for iliac bone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous rib grafts for craniocervical junction surgery in children.
Methods
The outcomes of 10 children with abnormalities of the craniocervical junction who underwent craniocervical junction surgery between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent posterior fusion and internal fixation surgery with autologous rib grafts. Pre- and post-operative images were obtained and clinical follow-ups were conducted to evaluate neurological function, pain level, donor site complications, and bone fusion rates.
Results
All surgeries were successful. During the 8- to 24-month follow-up period, all patients achieved satisfactory clinical results. Computed tomography at 3–6 months confirmed successful bone fusion and regeneration of the rib defect in all patients with no neurological or donor site complications.
Conclusion
Autologous rib bone is a safe and effective material for bone grafting in craniocervical junction fusion surgery for children that can reduce the risks of donor site complications and increase the amount of bone graft, thereby achieving a higher bone fusion rate.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
Reference22 articles.
1. A review of complications associated with craniocervical fusion surgery;Lall R;Neurosurgery,2010
2. Embryology and bony malformations of the craniovertebral junction. Child's nervous system: ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery;Pang D,2011
3. A review of the diagnosis and treatment of atlantoaxial dislocations;Yang SY;Global Spine J,2014
4. Zhang YH, Shen L, Shao J, Chou D, Song J, Zhang J. Structural Allograft versus Autograft for Instrumented Atlantoaxial Fusions in Pediatric Patients: Radiologic and Clinical Outcomes in Series of 32 Patients. World Neurosurg 2017, 105, 549 – 56. https://doi.org/.
5. C1-C2 Pedicle Screw Fixation for Pediatric Atlantoaxial Dislocation: Initial Results and Long-term Follow-up;Chen ZD;J Pediatr Orthop,2020