Postoperative Increase in Occiput–C2 Angle Negatively Impacts Subaxial Lordosis after Occipito–Upper Cervical Posterior Fusion Surgery

• DOI: 10.4184/asj.2016.10.4.744
• Publication Date: 2016-08-22T07:08:10Z
• Authors: Taigo Inada; Takeo Furuya; Koshiro Kamiya; Mitsutoshi Ota; Satoshi Maki; Takane Suzuki; Kazuhisa Takahashi; Masashi Yamazaki; Masaaki Aramomi; Chikato Mannoji; Masao Koda
• Keywords: Occiput

Study Design Retrospective case series. Purpose To elucidate the impact of postoperative occiput–C2 (O–C2) angle change on subaxial cervical alignment. Overview Literature In occipito–upper fixation surgery, it is recommended that O–C2 should be set larger than preoperative value postoperatively. Methods The present study included 17 patients who underwent spine (above C4) posterior surgery for atlantoaxial subluxation various etiologies. Plain lateral radiographs in a neutral position at standing were obtained and lordosis (the between endplates lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) C7 vertebrae) measured preoperatively postoperatively soon after ambulation final follow-up visit. Results There was significant negative correlation average alteration (DO–C2) (Dsubaxial angle) (r=–0.47, p=0.03). Conclusions DO–C2 Dsubaxial angles. This suggests decrease mid-to lower-cervical acts as compensatory mechanism lordotic correction occiput C2. occipito-cervical fusion care must taken to avoid excessive because might induce mid-to-lower lordosis. Keywords: Cervical spine; Occipital bone; Spinal curvatures;