Instrumentation of the Cervicothoracic Junction After Destabilization

Study Design: The biomechanics of three different instrumentation constructs applied at the destabilized cervicothoracic junction were evaluated.

Objectives: To find an efficient way in restoring stability of the cervicothoracic junction in cases with and without laminectomy.

Summary Of Background Data: Different instrumentation techniques have been evaluated biomechanically and used clinically for managing instabilities between the fourth and sixth cervical vertebrae. These constructs have not been evaluated at the cervicothoracic junction.

Methods: Six human spines were tested nondestructively in axial torsion, flexion, and extension with the C6-T2 motion segments left unconstrained. The three-dimensional displacements and rotations between C7 and T1 vertebrae were measured using a sonic digitizer. After intact testing, a distractive-flexion Stage 3 cervical spinal injury was simulated surgically between C7 and T1. The specimens underwent sequential instrumentation and mechanical testing with three constructs: posterior Synthes lateral mass plate, posterior pediatric Cotrel-Dubousset rod system with lamina hooks and a crosslink, and anterior Synthes cervical locking plate.

Results: Posterior stabilization techniques had statistically more stiffness than anterior plates. The Cotrel-Dubousset system offered the largest stiffness ratio (instrumented/intact) in flexion, extension, and rotation. There was no statistical difference between posterior plates and Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation. The stiffness of the anterior plate did not differ significantly from the intact spine.

Conclusion: Our data show that instability of the cervicothoracic junction can be efficiently restored by either anterior plates, posterior plates, or posterior hook-rod constructs (Cotrel-Dubousset). Posterior constructs showed increased stiffness over anterior plates.