The role of plate and screw fixation in occipitocervical fusion in rheumatoid arthritis.
METHODS
In a clinical retrospective study, the results of occipitocervical fusion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied and analyzed.


OBJECTIVE
The results of two different operative techniques were compared. The advantages of screw fixation compared with wiring techniques in this population of patients were investigated.


BACKGROUND
Numerous different implants have been presented in the literature for occipitocervical fusion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The use of wires being the standard fixation technique.


METHODS
Occipitocervical fusion was performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: 26 patients with the wiring technique and 33 patients with a new Y-plate fixation. The results were compared at a follow-up period of 24 months and 50 months, respectively. Clinical and radiologic results were investigated.


RESULTS
The atlantodental distance could be significantly better reduced in the group with the Y-plate fixation and the neurologic improvement in the wiring group was 40%, whereas in the Y-plate fixation 86% of neurologic improvement was observed. Pseudarthrosis was seen in 27% of the wiring technique and in 6% in the plate and screw fixation technique.


CONCLUSIONS
In occipitocervical fusion for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the screw and plate fixation technique provides superior results than other techniques using wire fixations.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Schulthess Klinik, Zürich, Switzerland.
D
D
Grob
J
J
Dvorak
M M
MM
Panjabi
J A
JA
Antinnes
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000601:surgery; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000601:surgery; D001843:Bone Cements; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001864:Bone Wires; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
D001843:Bone Cements