Nonunion following two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

Nonunion is a potential complication of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). There are reports that cite the prevalence of nonunion for two-level ACDF with various fusion techniques, but they do not recommend treatment alternatives. Pseudarthrosis after a two-level ACDF occurred in a 69-year-old man. Posterior cervical wiring and autograft resulted in a successful fusion anteriorly and posteriorly. Posterior fusion augments stability, enhances the potential for eventual anterior fusion, avoids the risks of an additional anterior procedure, and is an excellent therapeutic alternative to a second anterior attempt at stabilization.     

A comparison of outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in patients with and without radicular symptoms

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is commonly performed for degenerative conditions of the cervical spine with good to excellent results. There is controversy over the use of ACDF for patients with axial neck pain alone. A retrospective review of 202 patients from two private practice orthopaedic spine surgeons following ACDF with 39-month mean follow-up was performed. Patients completed pain drawings, pre- and postoperative visual analog pain scales (VAS), Oswestry functional capacity evaluations (OSW), and a postoperative neck disability index. Forty-one patients had axial neck pain alone, and 161 had radicular pain with or without neck pain. There were significant improvements in VAS and OSW scores following surgery for the combined study population as well as the neck pain only and radicular pain groups (p < .01). ACDF can be effectively used for treatment of patients with axial neck pain without radicular symptoms.     

Outpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

The study reported here examined patient safety and satisfaction in 56 patients with cervical radiculopathy secondary to foraminal stenosis or a herniated disc who underwent a total of 58 outpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures with iliac crest bone graft or fibular allograft. Patients were discharged 0.8 hour to 6.5 hours (mean, 2.4 hours) after surgery and received 3 home health care visits over 24 hours. Of the 45 satisfaction questionnaires that were completed, 43 (95.6%) indicated patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the surgery, and 35 (77.8%) indicated patients would have the procedure performed on an outpatient basis again. Eleven (19.6%) of the 56 patients did not respond to a satisfaction questionnaire. Outpatient ACDF has high patient satisfaction but does not compromise patient safety.     

Radiographic and clinical outcomes following single-level anterior cervical discectomy and allograft fusion without plate placement or cervical collar

OBJECT: Although the clinical outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery are generally good, 2 major complications are graft migration and nonunion. These complications have led some to advocate rigid internal fixation and/or cervical immobilization postoperatively. This paper examines a single-surgeon experience with single-level ACDF without use of plates or hard collars in patients with degenerative spondylosis in whom allograft was used as the fusion material. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of a prospective database of (Cloward-type) ACDF operations performed by the senior author (J.A.J.) between July 1996 and June 2005. Radiographic follow-up included static and flexion/extension radiographs obtained to assess fusion, focal and segmental kyphosis, and change in disc space height. At most recent follow-up, the patients' condition was evaluated by an independent physician examiner. The Odom criteria and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were used to assess outcome. RESULTS: One hundred seventy patients underwent single-level ACDF for degenerative pathology during the study period. Their most common presenting symptoms were pain, weakness, and radiculopathy; 88% of patients noted >or= 2 neurological complaints. The mean hospital stay was 1.76 days (range 0-36 days), and 3 patients (2%) had major immediate postoperative complications requiring reoperation. The mean duration of follow-up was 22 months (range 12-124 months). Radiographic evidence of fusion was present in 160 patients (94%). Seven patients (4%) showed radiographic evidence of pseudarthrosis, and graft migration was seen in 3 patients (2%). All patients had increases in focal kyphosis at the operated level on postoperative radiographs (mean -7.4 degrees ), although segmental alignment was preserved in 133 patients (78%). Mean change in disc space height was 36.5% (range 28-53%). At most recent clinical follow-up, 122 patients (72%) had no complaints referable to cervical disease and were able to carry out their activities of daily living without impairment. The mean postoperative NDI score was 3.2 (median 3, range 0-31). CONCLUSIONS: Single-level ACDF without intraoperative plate placement or the use of a postoperative collar is an effective treatment for cervical spondylosis. Although there is evidence of focal kyphosis and loss of disc space height, radiographic evidence of fusion is comparable to that attained with plate fixation, and the rate of clinical improvement is high.     

颈椎前路手术后吞咽困难的原因分析

目的：探讨颈椎前路手术后发生吞咽困难的相关因素。方法：随访2002年10月～2004年10月间颈椎前路手术患者490例。其巾男306例，女184例；年龄12～76岁，平均47．2岁；诊断为颈椎病415例，颈椎骨折脱位43例．颈椎间盘突出症22例，颈椎椎体肿瘤8例．颈椎结核2例。观察患者手术后是否存在吞咽困难；对于存在吞咽困难的患者均静脉应用地塞米松及对症治疗。结果：共有96例（19．6％）患者出现不同程度吞咽困难，持续时间3周～24个月。男42例，女54例，年龄38～63岁，平均57．6岁。96例吞咽困难患者巾，使用钛板内同定89例．使用颈椎椎间融合器7例：颈椎融合术未加内固定者及颈椎人工间盘置换者均未出现吞咽困难病例。女性、高龄及使用钛板内植物等因素与吞咽困难之间存在相关性。96例患者平均随访14．2个月，90例（93．7％）吞咽困难的症状消失或减轻，6例（6.3％）症状无改善。结论：吞咽困难是颈椎前路手术后常见的并发症；其发生可能与多种因素有关。临床医生应给予相应重视和采取相应措施以减少其发生。     

颈前路零切迹自锁融合器治疗跳跃型颈椎病早期疗效观察

目的观察分析颈前路零切迹自锁融合器治疗跳跃型颈椎病的早期临床疗效,评价手术对邻近颈椎退变的影响。方法回顾性分析自2013-06—2014-06采用颈前路零切迹自锁融合器治疗的跨节段颈椎病13例,共置入椎间融合器26枚。结果本组手术时间80~120(95.00±11.18)min,术中出血量70~120(93.85±16.60)ml。术后吞咽困难1例,予以对症处理后有所好转,末次随访时无症状。定期随访至术后1年。术后随访大多数患者椎间盘未见明显退变,1例Kellgren颈椎退变分级由0级退变为1级;1例Miyazaki椎间盘退变分级由Ⅰ级退变为Ⅱ级,1例由Ⅱ级退变为Ⅲ级。术后1周VAS评分、术后6个月JOA评分较术前明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。术后椎间隙高度(7.45±0.21)mm,较术前明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论颈前路零切迹自锁融合器治疗跳跃型颈椎病的初期疗效满意,临床症状缓解明显,颈椎椎间隙融合率高,并发症少,可减缓邻近颈椎的退变。     

Microsurgical anterior cervical discectomy without fusion

Objectives  

Microsurgical anterior exposure and removal of cervical herniated disk without fusion of the involved motion segment to relieve radicular pain and to restore function.     

Outpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

The study reported here examined patient safety and satisfaction in 56 patients with cervical radiculopathy secondary to foraminal stenosis or a herniated disc who underwent a total of 58 outpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures with iliac crest bone graft or fibular allograft. Patients were discharged 0.8 hour to 6.5 hours (mean, 2.4 hours) after surgery and received 3 home health care visits over 24 hours. Of the 45 satisfaction questionnaires that were completed, 43 (95.6%) indicated patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the surgery, and 35 (77.8%) indicated patients would have the procedure performed on an outpatient basis again. Eleven (19.6%) of the 56 patients did not respond to a satisfaction questionnaire. Outpatient ACDF has high patient satisfaction but does not compromise patient safety.     

Bryan人工颈椎间盘置换术与椎间融合术治疗颈椎病的中期疗效比较

目的 分析对比Bryan人工颈椎间盘置换术与颈前路减压植骨融合术(anterior ceryical discectomy and fusion,ACDF)治疗颈椎病的中期疗效.方法 2003年11月至2004年2月,16例患者行Bryan人工颈椎间盘置换术(A组),35例患者行ACDF(B组),于术前、出院前、术后6周、3、6、12、24个月及随后每半年一次随访,通过日本矫形外科协会(JOA)评分、简明健康状况调查表(SF-36评分)、颈椎残障功能指数(neck disability index,NDI)评定治疗效果.同期摄X线片,检测病变节段的稳定性和活动度.结果 两组患者术中、术后均无严重并发症发生.所有患者均获得6年以上随访,平均73.5个月.A组术后无假体移位、脱落等并发症发生,1例发生自发融合;置换节段活动度与置换前活动度的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).B组术后6个月X线片示植骨全部达骨性融合.两组患者术后随访时临床症状均明显缓解,疗效满意.两组患者的JOA评分及SF-36评分、NDI,术后随访时均较术前有明显提高(P＜0.05).B组活动度较术前明显减小(P＜0.01),而A组手术前后差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);两组术后活动度差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 Bryan人工颈椎间盘置换术疗效良好,同时还可保留颈椎病变节段活动度,减少轴性症状,为颈椎病治疗提供一种新的方法.

Abstract：

Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of Bryan disc replacement with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients with cervical spondylopathy. Methods Sixteen patients underwent Bryan cervical disc replacement (A group), and 35 patients underwent traditional ACDF (B group) were included in the study. Patients were followed up at regular intervals. The JOA score, SF-36, neck disability index (NDI) score and the dynamic flexion-extension radiographs were used to evaluated the oucomes.Results All the patients were followed up for more than 6 years (mean, 73.5 months). There were no severe adverse events in both groups. In A group, there were no differences between postoperative and preoperative mobility of surgical segments (P＞0.05). All patients obtained bone fusions 6 month after surgery in group B.In both groups, the clinical symptoms relieved obviously after surgery. The postoperative scores of the JOA,SF-36 and NDI significantly improved compared with those of preoperative ones (P＜0.05). In B group, range of motion (ROM) was significantly decreased postoperatively (P ＜0.01); in A group, there were no significant differences between postoperative and preoperative ROM (P＞0.05). The difference between two groups regarding ROM was noted (P＜0.05). Conclusion The mid-term outcomes of Bryan cervical arthroplasty are satisfied. And the cervical arthroplasty which can maintain the mobility of the segment, and decrease the incidence of the postoperative neck axial symptoms is a viable alternative to cervical spondylopathy.     

Assessment of fusion after anterior cervical discectomy

There is no established method to assess fusion in patients following anterior cervical discectomy. In this study we have made a series of measurements to detect movement between vertebrae adjacent to an operated space. The absence of movement implies structural union between adjacent vertebrae. Measurements have been made in two distinct surgical groups. Group A patients had anterior cervical discectomy with insertion of a BOP graft into the disc space. Group B patients underwent simple anterior cervical discectomy with no spacer or graft material inserted, the disc space being left empty. Details of the measurements and interpretation of results are described. In the absence of a 'gold standard' to assess bony union we propose that these measurement methods provide an objective and scientific method to assess fusion at the operated level after anterior cervical discectomy. Objective measurement of fusion will allow comparison between different surgical techniques that claim fusion as an end point. It will also become possible to study the influence of fusion on clinical outcome in different surgical populations.     

Success of junctional anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Junctional breakdown has long been a consideration for surgeons when performing an arthrodesis in the cervical spine. Numerous authors have reported symptomatic junctional disease after fusion with varying degrees of reoperation. To our knowledge, there are no large series recording the fusion rate using instrumentation as an adjuvant to bone grafting. PURPOSE: To determine the fusion rate when arthrodesis is performed in the setting of junctional stenosis using iliac crest autograft and instrumentation. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This is a retrospective review performed on patients at the senior author's institution. PATIENT SAMPLE: The patient population consisted of a consecutive series of patients undergoing an elective anterior-only cervical arthrodesis for junctional stenosis. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome is a physiologic measure from dynamic radiographs. Fusion was assessed by the absence of motion and radiolucent lines at the bone graft interface. METHODS: During the study period, a total of 56 consecutive patients underwent anterior treatment for junctional cervical stenosis. Forty-nine of these patients were treated with an anterior discectomy and instrumented arthrodesis using iliac crest autograft, and seven underwent a corpectomy. We retrospectively reviewed the patients' charts and radiographs to determine the fusion rate. RESULTS: A solid fusion was obtained in 81.6% of patients in the study group. In patients undergoing a single-level arthrodesis adjacent to a one-level fusion, the fusion rate was 95.2%. The fusion rate significantly dropped in patients with longer preexisting fusion segments. In patients with a two- or three-level fusions preoperatively, the union rate was 81.3% and 57.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior cervical discectomy and arthrodesis yields a high fusion rate for cervical stenosis adjacent to a single-level fusion. A multilevel preexisting fusion segment leads to a significant decline in successfully achieving a solid adjacent fusion despite using iliac crest autograft and instrumentation.     

Remodeling of adjacent spinal alignments following cervical arthroplasty and anterior discectomy and fusion

Objective  

To evaluate the effects of cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR) and anterior discectomy and fusion (ACDF) on adjacent spinal alignments.     

Outcomes following outpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the treatment of myelopathy

IntroductionAnterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of degenerative cervical disease. With continued increase in U.S. healthcare expenditure, surgeons have begun to more closely examine the benefits of performing ACDF in an outpatient setting to increase efficiency, reduce the overall financial burden on patients/providers, and provide streamlined care for these patients. The purpose of this study was to analyze outcomes following outpatient ACDF for the treatment of myelopathy.Methods14,490 patients who had undergone ACDF for myelopathy from 2010 to 2018 were included in this retrospective study, of which 2956 (20.40%) patients were considered to have undergone outpatient surgery. Pearson chi-squared tests and Fischer’s Exact Tests were used to analyze differences in categorical variables of demographics, preoperative comorbidities, and postoperative complications, while Mann-Whitney-U-Tests were used to compare mean values of continuous variables. Coarsened-exact-matching (CEM) was implemented to control for baseline differences in demographics and comorbidities, and post-matching diagnostics included multivariate and univariate imbalance measure assessment. Outcomes were compared between the CEM-matched inpatient and outpatients ACDF cohorts.ResultsUpon CEM-matching (L1-statistic <0.001), the outpatient cohort (n = 2610, 25.13%) demonstrated significantly lower rates of any complication (p < 0.001), minor complications (p = 0.001), urinary tract infections (p = 0.029), blood transfusions (p < 0.001), major complications (p < 0.001), deep incisional surgical site infections (p = 0.017), ventilator dependence (p = 0.027), cardiac arrest (p = 0.028), unplanned reoperations (p = 0.001), and mortality (p = 0.006) in the 30-day postoperative period when compared to inpatient controls (n = 7774, 74.87%).ConclusionACDF has been a target amongst spinal procedures as a prime candidate for outpatient surgery. However, no previous reports have described complication rates and perioperative parameters in the sub-population of outpatient ACDF patients with myelopathy. In addition to shorter times from admission to operating room, operative time, and LOS, our study also demonstrated lower rates of major and overall complications in outpatient ACDF’s for myelopathy in comparison to their inpatient counterparts. Performing ACDF’s for myelopathy in an outpatient setting may help to curb costs, improve outcomes, and serve as a valuable learning resource for graduate medical education with rapid turnovers and shorter operative times.     

前路经椎间隙减压固定融合术治疗伴交感神经症状颈椎病的疗效分析

目的:探讨前路经椎间隙减压固定融合术治疗伴交感神经症状颈椎病的临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析2001年10月～2010年10月手术治疗的伴有明显头晕、头痛等交感神经症状的颈椎病患者156例,其中脊髓型59例,脊髓-神经根混合型97例。病变涉及单节段108例,2个节段39例,3个节段6例,4个节段3例。对全部病变节段行前路经椎间隙减压固定融合术,术中均彻底切除病变椎间隙处后纵韧带。观察比较术前、术后1周及末次随访时临床症状及影像学情况,采用交感神经症状20分法和JOA 17分法评定交感神经症状和脊髓神经功能改善情况。在颈椎正侧位及伸屈动力位X线片上进行影像学评价。结果:32例患者术后有一过性咽喉部疼痛不适感,经对症处理于术后3～5d症状均消失;无脑脊液漏、感染和血管、神经损伤。随访8～42个月,平均25个月。交感神经症状评分术前6.4±1.7分,术后1周1.6±1.7分,末次随访时2.4±1.4分,主观满意率79%;JOA评分术前9.8±2.4分,术后1周11.9±2.5分,末次随访12.9±2.2分。术后1周、末次随访时交感神经症状评分和JOA评分与术前比较均有统计学差异(P<0.05),末次随访时与术后1周比较无统计学差异(P>0.05)。末次随访时X线片显示手术节段均已融合,颈椎稳定性良好,无内固定松动和断裂。2例于术后3年因脊髓神经症状加重行二次后路减压手术。结论:颈前路经椎间隙减压固定融合术结合术中彻底切除病变椎间隙处后纵韧带治疗伴交感神经症状颈椎病的疗效良好。     

Airway changes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

INTRODUCTION: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common procedure for radicular and spondylotic disease of the cervical spine. Radiographs are routinely used to evaluate complications in the postoperative ACDF patient, especially airway compromise. Our purpose was to establish baseline data on the amount of change that can be expected in the prevertebral soft tissues after this procedure in the uncomplicated asymptomatic (no airway compromise) 1 or 2-level ACDF patient. Our hypothesis was that the upper cervical spinal levels (C2-C4) would experience greater degrees of swelling than the lower cervical spine (C5-C7). To date no published data exist in the English literature upon which to judge symptomatic patients (experiencing postoperative airway distress) radiographically. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated preoperative and postoperative x-rays of 32 patients undergoing ACDF for radicular or spondylotic cervical pathology. Measurements were taken from the anterior body of the cervical spine to the posterior aspect of the airway. The postoperative differences for each level from C2 to T1 were calculated. RESULTS: We found that the greatest level of swelling or change in the prevertebral soft tissues occurred at the mid-body of C4 in uncomplicated cases with an average change of 10.7 mm. No patients measured greater than 25 mm at C4. CONCLUSIONS: As we predicted, the greatest edema was noted in the upper cervical spine. Studies need to be performed to compare the radiographic data of symptomatic patients with the baseline data we have collected.     

The effect of cervical plating on single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

The use of anterior plates for single-level cervical fusions is controversial. Previous studies that evaluated single and multiple-level fusions have shown increased and decreased fusion rates when cervical plates are used. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic success of single-level discectomy performed with and without anterior cervical plate fixation. During a 6-year period, 80 patients were surgically treated with a single-level anterior cervical discectomy. Forty-four patients had cervical plates, whereas 36 had fusions without plates (average follow-up, 2.3 years). The pseudarthrosis rates were 4.5% (2 of 44) for patients with plating and 8.3% (3 of 36) without plating. This difference was not significant (p = 0.653). There was no correlation of pseudarthrosis with sex, age, level of surgery, history of tobacco use, or the presence of previous anterior surgery. The amount of graft collapse for patients with plating was 0.75 mm compared with 1.5 mm for those without a plate (p = 0.026). The amount of kyphotic deformity of the fused segment was 1.2 degrees with plating compared with 1.9 degrees for patients without plating (p = 0.079). Ninety-one percent of the patients with plating had good or excellent results compared with 88% in the group without cervical plates, based on Odom's criteria. The addition of plate fixation for single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is safe and not associated with a significant increase in complication rates. The pseudarthrosis rates are not significantly different when a cervical plate is used.     

颈椎前路椎间盘切除、植骨融合内固定术治疗脊髓型颈椎病术后轴性症状的前瞻性研究

【摘要】 目的：前瞻性分析若干临床因素与颈前路椎间盘切除、植骨融合内固定治疗脊髓型颈椎病术后颈部轴性症状发生的相关性。方法：2011年5月～2011年9月间接受由同一专业组术者完成的颈椎前路椎间盘切除、椎体间植骨融合、钛板内固定术患者107例,术前均无颈部疼痛、僵硬等轴性症状,均于术后3个月在门诊复查。采用日本骨科协会改良17分评分法（modified Japanese Orthopaedics Association,mJOA）改善率评价患者术后神经功能恢复情况,观察术后新出现的颈部轴性症状的发生率并使用视觉模拟评分法（visual analogue scale, VAS）评价轴性症状的程度。收集所有患者的年龄、性别、术前/术后手术节段曲度、手术节段椎间撑开高度、植骨融合情况、术后项背肌功能锻练及术后围领佩戴时间等八项临床相关因素,使用Logistic回归分析上述临床因素对术后出现颈部轴性症状的影响。使用独立样本t检验分析轴性症状与术后神经功能改善的关系。结果：本组107例患者中男性56例,女性51例,年龄29~80岁,平均52.2岁。手术节段：单节段49例（45.8%）,双节段47例（43.9%）,三节段11例（10.3%）。本组患者术后3个月复查时新出现的颈部轴性症状发生率为26.2%（28/107）,VAS平均为4分（2~8分）。所研究的八项临床相关因素中,术后项背肌功能锻练（P=0.0003,OR=185.6）、手术节段术前曲度（P=0.003,OR=8.1）和植骨融合情况（P=0.016,OR=37.1）与术后发生颈部轴性症状有相关性。术后出现新发轴性症状患者术后mJOA评分改善率为58.6%±32.8%,未发生轴性症状患者术后mJOA改善率为65.5%±30.6%,两组结果无统计学差异（P=0.317）。结论：颈椎前路术后新发颈部轴性症状并不少见。术后项背肌功能锻炼差、术前手术节段后凸和无植骨融合迹象与术后新发轴性症状有关。     

Increased fusion rates with cervical plating for two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of all patients surgically treated with a two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with and without anterior plate fixation by a single surgeon. OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical and radiographic success of two-level discectomy and the effect of anterior cervical plate fixation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Prior studies of multisegment fusions have shown decreased fusion rates correlating with the number of increased levels. The use of anterior plates for single-level cervical fusions is controversial. However, their use in multilevel fusions may be warranted because of the increased pseudarthrosis rates. METHODS: Over a 6-year period, 60 patients were treated surgically with a two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion by the senior author. Thirty-two patients had cervical plates, and 28 underwent fusions without plates. These patients were followed for an average of 2.7 years. Clinical and radiographic follow-up evaluations were performed. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, 7 had a pseudarthrosis. The pseudarthrosis rates were 0% for patients with plating and 25% for those with no plating. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). No correlation of pseudarthrosis with gender, age, level of surgery, history of tobacco use, or the presence of prior anterior surgery was found. There was significantly less graft collapse (P = 0.0001) in the patients without plates in whom pseudarthrosis developed (1.4 mm) than in those who had fusions with plates (0.3 mm). The amount of kyphotic deformity of the fused segment was 0.4 degree in patients with plating compared with 4.9 degrees in those without plating who developed a pseudarthrosis (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of plate fixation for two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a safe procedure with no significant increase in complication rates. The pseudarthrosis rates are significantly higher in patients treated without plate fixation. No nonunions occurred in the patients treated with plate fixation. There was significantly less disc space collapse and kyphotic deformity with the plated fusions than with the nonplated fusions, in which a pseudarthrosis developed. The complication rates for plated fusions are extremely low and do not differ from those for nonplated fusions.