Occipitothoracic fusion
Dysphagia after Occipitothoracic fusion is caused by the narrowing of oropharyngeal space due to direct compression from the anteriorly protruded mid-cervical spine 1).
Occipitothoracic fusion for rheumatoid destructive cervical lesions can be effective in improving neurologic deficit if performed while patients can still sit 2)
The use of 3D technology has greatly facilitated the performance of the occipitothoracic fixation and could, in the future, contribute to safer pediatric spinal fixation procedures 3).
Matsuyama et al. performed occipitothoracic fusion surgery in RA patients with the destruction of the cervical spine. Preoperative halo-vest was very effective for improving the neurologic status, for the general condition, and for an optimal sagittal alignment. Occipitothoracic fusion using unit rods gave satisfactory long-term clinical results compared with the prognosis of patients in whom the disease follows its natural course 4)