Endoscopic surgery successfully treated complex cervical spine fracture

Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) has just successfully treated a complex cervical spine fracture using endoscopic surgery. This is the first time this technique has been performed in Vietnam.

The patient is a 25-year-old male from Thai Binh. He fell off his motorbike, hit his head on a hard surface, and then had severe neck pain. At Bach Mai Hospital, after examination and X-ray, the doctor determined that the patient had a fracture of the odontoid process - an important structure in cervical spine movement.

X-ray film of patient before and after surgery

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY DOCTOR

According to doctors of the Department of Orthopedics and Spine, a fracture of the odontoid process is a dangerous injury that can easily lead to displacement, non-union of the bone, and has a high risk of causing spinal cord paralysis, leaving serious sequelae.

In the above case, instead of applying the traditional open surgery method, the doctors performed endoscopic screw surgery directly into the odontoid process through an incision in front of the cervical spine. This is an advanced technique, helping to preserve the natural movement of the C1-C2 joint (the joint responsible for 50% of the neck's rotation ability), while reducing the risk of infection, reducing blood loss and shortening recovery time, with a small incision of only about 1 cm. This surgery requires a highly skilled medical team, because the neck area contains many large blood vessels and important organs. This is the first successful endoscopic screw surgery directly into the odontoid process in Vietnam.

One day after surgery, the patient was able to sit up, walk and eat normally without feeling uncomfortable or limited neck movement.

Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Hoang Gia Du, Head of the Department of Orthopedics and Spine, said: The success of endoscopic surgery with direct screw insertion into the odontoid process is a big step forward, bringing high efficiency with a success rate of 90 - 95%. This technique opens up opportunities for safe and advanced treatment for many patients in Vietnam.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phau-thuat-noi-soi-dieu-tri-thanh-cong-ca-gay-cot-song-co-phuc-tap-18525011919211385.htm