Submandibular retropharyngeal cervical vertebra hook-plate for the treatment of C2 vertebral body tumors

晏怡果(Yan Yiguo，Dept Spine Surg，1st Affil Hosp Nan Hua Univ，Hengyang，Hunan 421001)…∥Chin J Clin Basic Orthop Res.－2010，2(3).－191 ～195

Submandibular retropharyngeal cervical vertebra hook-plate for the treatment of C2 vertebral body tumors

晏怡果(Yan Yiguo，Dept Spine Surg，1st Affil Hosp Nan Hua Univ，Hengyang，Hunan 421001)…∥Chin J Clin Basic Orthop Res.－2010，2(3).－191 ～195

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical results of submandibular retropharyngeal cervical vertebrahook-plate(RCHP)reconsruction for the treatment of of C2 vertebral body tumors.MethodsNine patents with C2 vertebral body tumors were treated with RCHP internal fixation and bone graft or cement reconstruction.Among these patients，seven were malignant tumors and two benign.All cases were found motion limitation of occipitocervical region in different degress without any obvious neurological disorders.ResultsNine patients were followed up for 5－22 months(median 13 months).All incisions primarily healed.No injuries occurred to the spinal cord，important nerves or blood vessels during surgery.One patient developed symptoms of superior laryngeal nerve stretching after the operation such as drink-bucking and acataposis.With neurological rehabiliation therapy，the patient improved in one week and complete recovered in two weeks.Two patients with benign tumors treated with internal fixation and bony graft had solid fusion at 3－6 months(average 4 months).No screw or hook losen-ing was found at the time of the last follow-up.ConclusionFor C2 vertebral body tumors，RCHP system can be used successfully to treat focus and reconstruct C2 body on one-stage operation by submandibular retropharyngeal approach with the advantages of simple，convenient，safe and effective operation as well as reliable fixation.11 refs，4 figs.

(Authors)