Outcome factors in surgically treated patients for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Context/Objective: To investigate prospectively preoperative parameters that might be related to the outcome of surgically treated patients for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Single Center in Ioannina, Greece.

Participants: Thirty-six patients were included in the study. There were 21 males and 15 females, mean age 50.8 years, range 39–70 years. The mean BMI was 27.3.

Outcome measures: From each patient, we recorded age, sex, BMI, symptoms, duration of symptoms, comorbidities, lifestyle, myelopathy grade based on MRI and levels of compression. All patients completed the modified JOA (mJOA) and NPE questionnaires preoperatively and at 1, 3, 12 months and 5-years postoperatively.

Results: The mean mJOA score significant improved from 10.8?±?1.9 points preoperatively to 16.6?±?2.2 points at 12 months postoperatively. The mean mJOA score at 5-years postoperatively was 15.5?±?3 points. The difference was still highly significant. The mean NPE score significant improved from 59.8?±?12.2 points preoperatively to 28.2?±?8.5 points at 1 month, to 35.8?±?8.1 points at 3 month and to 28.2?±?8.8 points at 12 months postoperatively. Younger patients had significant higher baseline mJOA scores and significant higher mJOA scores 5-year postoperatively. No correlation was found between sex, BMI, symptom duration, baseline mJOA or myelopathy grade and outcome at 12 months or 5-year postoperatively.

Conclusion: Age was highly predictive factor of outcome for patients undergoing surgical treatment of CSM.     

Carotid Artery-Related Perioperative Stroke Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Series of 3 Cases and Literature Review

Background

Vascular complications following anterior cervical spine surgery are rare but potentially devastating. Complications associated with the carotid artery are even more disastrous but largely anecdotal, with no more than 4 reported cases.

Characterizing the fusion order and level-specific rates of arthrodesis in 3-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A radiographic study

Pseudarthrosis is a well-recognized complication following multi-level ACDF. We aim to characterize the fusion order and level-specific rates of arthrodesis across four time points following 3-level ACDF. Patients who underwent 3-level ACDF by three UCSF spine surgeons from August 2012 to December 2019 were identified. Fusion status at each level was determined by measuring the interspinous motion on flexion and extension radiographs and assessing for evidence of bridging bone. Measurements were performed post-operatively at 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 18–24 months. A total of 77 patients with 3-level ACDF were identified and included in this study. Specific ACDF levels include C3-C6 (17 patients), C4-C7 (57 patients), and C5-T1 (3 patients). At 6 months, the cranial, middle, and caudal level fusion rates were 17.0%, 34.0%, and 3.8%, respectively. By 24 months, fusion rates were 61.1%, 88.9%, and 27.8% at the cranial, middle, and caudal level, respectively. PEEK cages were associated with lower odds of multi-level arthrodesis. Arthrodesis occurred the quickest at the middle level with an 88.9% fusion rate by 24 months after surgery. The caudal level had the slowest rate of arthrodesis with only a 27.8% fusion rate at 24 months, likely due to increased biomechanical stress at the most caudal level. Allograft was associated with higher odds of multi-level arthrodesis compared to PEEK cages.     

Three- and four-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with a PEEK cage and plate construct

Introduction

Three- or four-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with autograft and plate fixation have demonstrated relatively good fusion rates and outcomes, but donor site morbidity and the limitations of autograft harvest remain problematic. The purpose of this study is to assess the radiographic and clinical outcomes of three- or four-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with a PEEK cage and plate construct.

Methods

This retrospective review included 43 consecutive patients who underwent three- or four-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with a PEEK cage and plate construct (three level: 39 cases, four level: 4 cases). The fusion rate, time to fusion, Cobb angle and disc height were assessed radiographically. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with the VAS, NDI, and SF36 scores. Complications were also recorded.

Results

Solid fusion was achieved in all the patients, and mean time to fusion was 13.7 ± 5.1 weeks. The postoperative Cobb angle, lordotic angle, and disc height (5.6°, 10.5° and 3.15 mm, respectively) increased significantly compared to preoperative values (p = 0.038, p = 0.032, and p = 0.0004, respectively), and these improvements were maintained through final follow-up. The postoperative NDI (17.2), VAS (2.8), and SF36 (13.1) scores increased significantly compared to the preoperative scores (p = 0.026, p = 0.0007 and p = 0.041, respectively). Complications included three cases of respiratory difficulty, four cases of dysphagia and one case of hoarseness. There were no cases of donor site morbidity.

Conclusions

Three- or four-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with a PEEK cage, and plate construct provide good clinical and radiographic outcomes including high fusion rates, low complication rates, low donor site morbidity, and good maintenance of the lordotic angle and disc height in the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylosis.     

Single-level anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion using PEEK anatomical cervical cage and allograft bone

Background  

In an effort to avoid the morbidity associated with autogenous bone graft harvesting, cervical cages in combination with allograft bone are used to achieve fusion. The goal of the current study was to assess the reliability and efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion (ACDF) using a PEEK anatomical cervical cage in the treatment of patients affected by single-level cervical degenerative disease.     

A comparative biomechanical study of traditional and in-line plating systems following immediate stabilization of single and bi-level cervical segments

Background

Anterior cervical plate fixation has gained widespread acceptance for treatment of cervical spine pathologies by stabilizing the segment and enhancing fusion rates. While it is generally accepted that multiple fusion levels benefit from plating, few studies have compared plate designs. Wider plates can increase surgical complications and cost and are, therefore, not indicated unless biomechanical benefits exist. In this study, a cervical cadaver model is subjected to physiological loads and stabilized with in-line one-screw, and traditional two-screw per vertebral body plates.

Methods

Three groups of eight fresh frozen human cadaver cervical spines (C2-C7) were tested by applying pure moments of 1.5 Nm. Motion was obtained at C5-C6, and C4-C5/C5-C6 for single-level and bi-level experiments, respectively, in flexion-extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. Specimens were tested, 1) intact, 2) injured (anterior discectomy), 3) with interbody fusion spacer, 4) in-line one-screw plate + spacer, and 5) two-screw plate + spacer, using four available plate brands.

Findings

Single-level plating with interbody spacer restricted range-of-motion with respect to the spacer-alone construct in flexion-extension, regardless of one-screw or two-screw plate design, or brand. Similar behavior was seen in axial rotation, but not in lateral bending, where significance reductions in motion were achieved only with respect to the intact spine, not the interbody spacer group. In bi-level experiments all plate types restricted range-of-motion below spacer-alone levels in all loading modes.

Interpretation

Anterior plating should be selected based on surgical requirements, as a wide (two-screw) over a narrow (one-screw) plating profile does not appear to provide a tangible biomechanical benefit.     

When is a spine fused?

The ability to correctly diagnose spinal non-union is vital to our ability to diagnose and treat patients with new or recurrent symptoms following spine fusion and to accurately assess the efficacy of spine fusion techniques and technologies. Surgical exploration has traditionally been the gold-standard investigation for spinal non-union. As routine surgical exploration is impractical in the majority of patients the use of non-invasive radiologic methods of spine fusion assessment is necessary. The purpose of this paper is to outline the most common radiologic methods of spine fusion assessment including the strengths and limitations associated with each imaging modality. In addition we will review the best-available evidence for the use of radiologic investigations to diagnose spine non-unions. We will then provide recommendations for what we believe to be the best methods of diagnosing successful union of cervical interbody, lumbar interbody and lumbar posterolateral fusions that can be used by spine clinicians and researchers alike.     

Impact of age within younger populations on outcomes following cervical surgery in the ambulatory setting

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of age within the younger population seen at ambulatory surgical centers on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after cervical spine surgery.MethodsPatients of age <65 years undergoing single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disc replacement (CDR) were included. Patients were divided by mean age of initial population (46 years). PROMs included Patient-reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF), 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Survey (SF-12 PCS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) neck, VAS arm, Neck Disability Index (NDI) collected preoperatively and at postoperative time points up to 2 years.Results138 patients were included, with 66 patients <46 years. Both cohorts demonstrated improvement from preoperative baseline with regard to all studied PROMs at multiple time points postoperatively (p ≤ 0.042, all). Between groups, the older cohort demonstrated greater mean PROMIS-PF scores preoperatively and at 6 weeks (p ≤ 0.011, both), while VAS arm scores were lower in the older group at 1 year (p = 0.002), and NDI scores were lower in the older group at 6 weeks and 1 year (p < 0.027, both). Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) achievement rates were greater in the younger group in PROMIS PF at 2 years (p = 0.002), and in the older group in VAS arm score at 1 year (p = 0.007).ConclusionBoth cohorts showed significant improvement at multiple postoperative time points for all PROMs. Between groups, the older group reported more favorable physical function, VAS arm, and NDI scores at several time points. However, MCID achievement rates only significantly differed in two PROMs at singular time points. Difference in age in patients <65 years likely does not significantly affect long-term outcomes after cervical spine surgery.