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Local and general anesthesia are the main techniques used during percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP); however, both are associated with adverse reactions. Monitored anesthesia with dexmedetomidine may be the appropriate sedative and analgesic technique. Few studies have compared monitored anesthesia with other anesthesia modalities during PKP. Our aim was to determine whether monitored anesthesia is an effective alternative anesthetic approach for PKP. One hundred sixty-five patients undergoing PKP for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) were recruited from a single center in this prospective, non-randomized controlled study. PKP was performed under local anesthesia with ropivacaine (n = 55), monitored anesthesia with dexmedetomidine (n = 55), and general anesthesia with sufentanil/propofol/sevoflurane (n = 55). Perioperative pain was assessed using a visual analogue score (VAS). Hemodynamic variables, operative time, adverse effects, and perioperative satisfaction were recorded. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, VAS, and operative time during monitored anesthesia were significantly lower than local anesthesia. Compared with general anesthesia, monitored anesthesia led to less adverse anesthetic effects. Monitored anesthesia had the highest perioperative satisfaction and the lowest VAS 2 h postoperatively; however, the monitored anesthesia group had the lowest MAP and heart rate 2 h postoperatively. Based on better sedation and analgesia, monitored anesthesia with dexmedetomidine achieved better patient cooperation, a shorter operative time, and lower adverse events during PKP; however, the MAP and heart rate in the monitored anesthesia group should be closely observed after surgery.

Background. Many doctors ignored the possibility that there is still a spinal cord compression (SCC) need for decompression after atlantoaxial reduction. Reduction can be achieved on kinematic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); thus, we want to analyze the role of kinematic MRI in reducible atlantoaxial dislocation and make a preoperative decision whether to perform decompression. Methods. 36 patients with atlantoaxial reduction on preoperative kinematic MRI in extension postures were enrolled retrospectively. Grouping was based on the condition of SCC after atlantoaxial reduction preoperatively. Group A: patients with SCC after atlantoaxial reduction on dynamic cervical MRI were treated with C1 laminectomy for decompression and atlantoaxial fixation. Group B: patients with no significant SCC, according to dynamic MRI, underwent only atlantoaxial fixation. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using JOA score for spinal cord function. Radiological outcomes were assessed by measuring spinal cord diameter on MRI. Results. The mean follow-up time was 17.1 months. Postoperative JOA score and percentage of SCC in both groups were significantly better than its preoperative score. There were no significant statistical differences in the JOA score at 12 months after surgery and the JOA improvement rate between two groups. All patients in the two groups had a lower percentage of SCC on preoperative extension MRI, compared with neutral MRI. No significant statistical differences in the spinal decompression improvement rate were observed between the two groups. Conclusions. Decompression should be performed in patients who still have significant SCC on preoperative kinematic MRI. Kinematic MRI could be used to assess SCC and decide whether to perform decompression preoperatively.

To explore the effectiveness of anterior cervical plate internal fixation in the treatment of unstable Hangman fracture.Between May 2006 and May 2010, 42 patients with unstable Hangman fracture were treated by anterior cervical plate internal fixation. There were 30 males and 12 females with an average age of 36.5 years (range, 22-64 years). According to the Levine-Edwards classification, 25 cases were rated as type II, 15 cases as type II A, and 2 cases as type III. Eight patients had spinal cord injury. The average interval between injury and operation was 5 days (range, 3-14 days). The X-ray, CT, and MRI were done pre- and post-operatively to evaluate the cervical physiological curvature, the intervertebral disc height of C2, 3, the fracture-healing, and bone fusion. The effectiveness was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) for occipitocervical pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) for cervical spine function, and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for neurological functional recovery.All incisions healed by first intention. No neurological deterioration or internal fixation failure was observed. All of the patients were followed up 2-5 years (mean, 3.5 years). The complications were dysdipsia in 3 cases and dysphagia in 4 cases, which alleviated spontaneously after 1 week. All the patients were almost free from occipitocervical pain and the limited cervical spine motion. Neurological function was improved in 8 cases of spinal cord injury, and complete decompression was observed in 6 cases who had spinal cord compression. The bone fusion was observed at 6.5 months on average (range, 6-8 months); the mean fracture-healing time was 10.5 months (range, 9-12 months). The VAS, NDI, and JOA scores were significantly improved at 3 months after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative scores (P0.05), significant improvement scores were achieved at last follow-up when compared with the scores at 3 months (P0.05). The intervertebral disc height of C2, 3, the reconstructed curvature and stability of the cervical spine, and the spine movement were good.The method of anterior cervical plate internal fixation can achieve satisfactory reduction and fusion, less complications, negligible impact on the cervical movement. So it is an ideal method to treat unstable Hangman fracture.