Nuchal Ligament Reconstruction Surgery for Dropped Head Syndrome: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Dropped Head Syndrome (DHS) is a debilitating condition affecting neck extensor muscles.
• Traditional treatments often involve invasive fusion surgery, which may not be suitable for all patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel, less invasive surgical approach for treating Dropped Head Syndrome.
• To evaluate the efficacy of nuchal ligament reconstruction in restoring neck extensor function.

Main Methods:

• A less invasive nuchal ligament reconstruction surgery was performed under local anesthesia.
• The procedure focused on restoring extensor muscle function rather than direct malalignment correction.

Main Results:

• The 86-year-old patient reported high satisfaction 12 months post-surgery.
• The patient successfully maintained a horizontal gaze, indicating restored neck function.

Conclusions:

• This case report details the first successful implementation of a less invasive nuchal ligament reconstruction for DHS.
• The technique offers a viable alternative to fusion surgery for select DHS patients.