Transoropharyngeal closed reduction for traumatic atlantoaxial dislocation: a novel technique for fast and precise reduction

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to introduce a new technique for the rapid and accurate reduction of traumatic atlantoaxial dislocation (TAAD) and to investigate its radiological and clinical outcomes. METHODS: The clinical outcomes of 18 patients who were diagnosed with acute TAAD and underwent rapid transoropharyngeal closed reduction in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed from January 2015 to December 2020. Following general anaesthesia, all patients were immediately treated with oropharyngeal reduction under somatosensory evoked potential monitoring. The Japanese Orthopedic Association score, neck disability index and visual analog scale score for neck pain were used to evaluate clinical efficacy. Atlantodental distance, posterior atlantodental interval, and the clivus-canal angle were used to assess reduction and spinal cord compression. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 23.3 months, with a range of 13–38 months. No neurovascular injury occurred during the operations. For all patients, the closed reduction method through the oropharynx under general anaesthesia was successful, and the success rate of reduction was 100%. All patients recovered uneventfully with marked improvement in clinical outcomes and imaging parameters (P < 0.01). Two patients developed mild postoperative dysphagia. One patient developed postoperative fever and pulmonary infection. CONCLUSION: Rapid trans-oropharyngeal closed reduction can safely, effectively, and rapidly reduce acute TAAD. This method provides a new strategy for treatment of the condition.