The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 64, Issue 7 1045-1050, Copyright © 1982 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Methylmethacrylate stabilization for enhancement of posterior cervical arthrodesis in rheumatoid arthritis
WJ Bryan, AE Inglis, TP Sculco and CS Ranawat
Stainless-steel wire, titanium mesh, and perforated titanium sheets and
methylmethacrylate were used in conjunction with autogenous iliac-bone
grafts to provide immediate stability in difficult or long posterior
cervical fusions in eleven patients with rheumatoid arthritis, who were
followed for three to 12.5 years. Two surgical techniques, using
methylmethacrylate and metal supplementation of a traditional posterior
cervical arthrodesis, are described. One technique includes the occiput,
while the other consists of a long posterior fusion that excludes the
occiput. In ten of the eleven patients, permanent radiographic stability
was maintained as well as a significant reduction of pain and resolution of
neural dysfunction. In the eleventh patient a cervical subluxation
developed at the distal end of the rigidly fused segment, and eventually
the patient died. Four patients who were seen early in the series had wound
dehiscences, two of which were infected. Subsequently the
methacrylate-metal composite was reduced in volume, and this problem did
not recur. In summary, this technique has provided immediate internal
splinting and avoided bulky external-fixation devices. It was most useful
in fusions of the occiput to the upper part of the cervical spine, in long
posterior cervical arthrodesis, and for the repair of pseudarthroses when
traditional arthrodesis techniques had failed.