Surgical Stabilization of a Cervical Fracture in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Sitting Position

Ankylosing spondylitis is a seronegative spondyloarthropathy promoting alteration of the integrity and biomechanics of the spine. This leads to a brittle and hyperkyphotic spine with an increased risk of cervical spine fracture. Cervical spine fractures in people with ankylosing spondylitis are often unstable three-column extension injuries that are managed with posterior long segment fusions. Kyphotic deformity, body habitus, and increased airway pressures complicate these procedures. A 65-year-old man presented with neck pain following a fall from a roof. He was found to have a displaced transverse three-column fracture of C6/7. The original plan was to perform a staged circumferential cervical fusion with anterior cervical fusion first to make prone positioning for posterior fusion safer. CT after anterior cervical fusion from C5 to C7 demonstrated improved alignment of the fractured posterior elements. Due to concern of increased peak airway pressures and awkward positioning, planned prone positioning for posterior approach was abandoned. A posterior long segment fusion from C4 to T3 was performed in the seated position. CT demonstrated the hardware was appropriately placed. The patient’s hospital course was uncomplicated, and he was followed up with cervical spine x-rays. Two years later, he denied neck pain or functional impairment and x-ray demonstrated healing of the fracture. Utilizing the sitting position for the posterior cervicothoracic fusion portion of a combined anterior-posterior approach can overcome complication-spurring positioning difficulties and provide proper surgical management of an unstable cervical spine fracture in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.