Outcomes of surgical treatment for cervical myelopathy in patients more than 75 years of age

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study on the results of surgical treatment of compressive cervical myelopathy in patients more than 75 years of age. OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical features and surgical outcomes of compressive cervical myelopathy in aged patients and to discuss the role of surgical treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are few data focused on the outcomes of surgery in patients with cervical myelopathy who are more than 75 years of age. METHODS: Seventeen patients with compressive cervical myelopathy who underwent surgery were reviewed. The average age at the time of surgery was 77.2 years. Posterior decompression in 15 patients and anterior decompression in 2 patients were performed. Neurologic deficits before and after surgery were assessed using a scoring system proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA score). Independence of daily living was evaluated. Radiologic features were examined with radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical results were compared with those of patients less than 65 years old as a control. RESULTS: The preoperative mean JOA score was 6.1, the postoperative maximum JOA scores averaged 11.4, and the recovery rate was 48.4%. These were significantly inferior to scores in those less than 65 years of age. All seven of the patients who could not walk even with aids before surgery became independent in daily activities after surgery. At the final follow-up, the mean JOA score had decreased to 10.7 and the recovery rate to 39.1%. Five of nine patients whose follow-up periods were more than 5 years showed decreases in JOA score, although all patients were still ambulatory. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical decompression for cervical myelopathy appears to be beneficial, even in patients more than 75 years of age, in improving neurologic function and ability to engage in activities of daily living.     

单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术在颈椎病再手术中的应用及疗效分析

目的 评价应用单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术进行颈椎病再手术的适应证及临床疗效.方法 自2003年2月至2009年6月,对15例颈椎前路融合术后症状复发或加重的患者行后路单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术.分析再手术的原因和疾病进展过程,采用日本骨科学会制定的JOA评分系统评估患者脊髓神经功能恢复情况,Nurick分级评价患者行走功能.结果 1例失随访,1例术后随访时间过短,未统计入本组.其余13例患者随访时间13～52个月,平均26个月.前后两次手术间隔时间为5个月～6年,平均24个月.再手术原因包括:邻近节段退变压迫颈髓2例,首次手术减压不彻底5例,后纵韧带骨化症(OPLL)误诊颈椎病4例,局限型OPLL进展2例.再手术均采用C3-6或C7后路单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术.13例患者JOA评分术前和末次随访时分别为10.5和13.8分(P＜0.05),平均神经功能改善率为53.0%.Nurick分级术前和随访时分别为3.1和1.9级(P＜0.05),平均改善1.2级.术后并发症包括脑脊液漏1例,颈肩部轴性痛1例,C5神经根麻痹l例.结论 对于颈椎前路融合术后减压不彻底、邻近节段退变或OPLL进展导致症状复发者采用后路单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术可以有效缓解脊髓压迫,改善脊髓神经功能,避免再次经前方入路引起的手术风险.     

Clinical outcomes of microendoscopic decompression surgery for cervical myelopathy

Retrospective study on the results of microendoscopic decompression surgery for the treatment of cervical myelopathy. The purpose of this study was to describe the microendoscopic laminoplasty (MEL) technique as the surgical method in the treatment of cervical myelopathy, and to document the clinical outcomes for MEL surgery. Endoscopic surgery poses several challenges for the aspiring endoscopic surgeons, the most critical of which is mastering hand–eye coordination. With training in live animal and cadaver surgery, the technical progress has reduced the problem of morbidity following surgery. The authors have performed microendoscopic decompression surgery on more than 2,000 patients for lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Fifty-one patients underwent the posterior decompression surgery using microendoscopy for cervical myelopathy at authors’ institute. The average age was 62.9 years. The criteria for exclusion were cervical myelopathy with tumor, trauma, severe ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, rheumatoid arthritis, pyogenic spondylitises, destructive spondylo-arthropathies, and other combined spinal lesions. The items evaluated were neurological evaluation, recovery rates; these were calculated following examination using the Hirabayashi’s method with the criteria proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system (JOA score). The mean follow-up period was 20.3 months. The average of JOA score was 10.1 points at the initial examination and 13.6 points at the final follow-up. The average recovery rate was 52.5%. The recovery rate according to surgical levels was, respectively, 56.5% in one level, 46.3% in two levels and 54.1% in more than three levels. The complications were as follows: one patient sustained a pin-hole-like dura mater injury inflicted by a high-speed air-drill during surgery, one patient developed an epidural hematoma 3 days after surgery, and two patients had the C5 nerve root palsy after surgery. The epidural hematoma was removed by the microendoscopy. All two C5 palsy improved with conservative therapy, such as a neck collar. These four patients on complications have returned to work at the final follow-up. This observation suggests that the clinical outcomes of microendoscopic surgery for cervical myelopathy were excellent or showed good results. This minimally invasive technique would be helpful in choosing a surgical method for cervical myelopathy.     

Posterior decompression with instrumented fusion for thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

We evaluated the clinical results of posterior decompression with instrumented fusion (PDF) for thoracic myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). A total of 24 patients underwent PDF, and their surgical outcomes were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores (0–11 points) and by recovery rates calculated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery and at a mean final follow-up of 4 years and 5 months. The mean JOA score before surgery was 3.7 points. Although transient paralysis occurred immediately after surgery in one patient (3.8%), all patients showed neurological recovery at the final follow-up with a mean JOA score of 8.0 points and a mean recovery rate of 58.1%. The mean recovery rate at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery was 36.7, 48.8, 54.0 and 56.8%, respectively. The median time point that the JOA score reached its peak value was 9 months after surgery. No patient chose additional anterior decompression surgery via thoracotomy. The present findings demonstrate that despite persistent anterior impingement of the spinal cord by residual OPLL, PDF can result in considerable neurological recovery with a low risk of postoperative paralysis. Since neurological recovery progresses slowly after PDF, we suggest that additional anterior decompression surgery is not desirable during the early stage of recovery.     

Results of surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy in patients aged 75 years or more: a comparative study of operative methods

Introduction

The number of surgical procedures in elderly patients has been increasing as the population has grown older; recently, spine surgeons have been more likely to encounter elderly patients with cervical myelopathy in need of surgical treatment. There are many reports about surgical treatment of elderly patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM); however, there are no studies about the proper selection of surgical methods and comparison of their results in CSM patients aged ≥75 years. The objective of this study was to review the results of operative methods in CSM patients aged ≥75 years.

Methods

Forty-three consecutive cases with an average age of 79 years that underwent surgical treatment were included in this study. The neurological severity was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score for cervical myelopathy (JOA). The JOA scores were evaluated before surgery and at final follow-up. There were 21 laminoplasty procedures (from C3 to C7), 13 selective laminoplasty procedures (one above and one below the affected intervertebral level), and nine anterior decompression and fusion procedures. A selective laminoplasty was performed in cases with general complications and was diagnosed as one intervertebral level both clinically and electrophysiologically. Surgical results were compared among the three treatment groups.

Results

The average preoperative JOA score was 7.7 points and the average JOA recovery rate was 45 %. There were three cases of C5 palsy and one wound infection. Operative time and intraoperative bleeding in the selective laminoplasty group were significantly smaller than those in the other groups. There was no significant difference in the JOA recovery rates among the groups.

Conclusions

Selective laminoplasty is less invasive and the surgical results in our study were almost good. It also has good short-term results. However, the indication for surgery has to be selected carefully in elderly CSM patients.     

一期前后路手术C7棘突骨椎间植骨融合治疗脊髓型颈椎病

目的:总结前后路一期手术时应用自体C7棘突骨行椎间植骨融合治疗脊髓型颈椎病(CSM)的临床疗效。方法:2004年2月至2008年12月,对30例脊髓前后方均有压迫的CSM患者采用一期前后路手术,其中男21例,女9例,年龄39～70岁,平均54.5岁;术前JOA评分4～13分,平均7.6±2.5分。后路手术时切取C7棘突骨作为前路椎间植骨融合的材料。观察患者术后神经功能改善和椎间植骨融合情况。结果:手术时间3.0～5.0h,平均3.5h;术中出血量270～600ml,平均380ml。未发生脊髓神经症状加重、感染、脑脊液漏等并发症。随访6～50个月,平均24.2个月,末次随访时JOA评分9～15分,平均13.7±1.8分,平均改善率为72%,其中优7例,良18例,好转5例。椎间植骨全部获得融合,未见植骨块塌陷和移位,内固定无松动和断裂。结论:对脊髓前后方均有压迫的CSM患者采用一期前后路手术减压可取得良好的效果,将后路手术时切取的自体C7棘突骨用于前路椎间植骨具有取骨简便、融合率高及相对节省治疗费用的优点。     

脊髓型颈椎病前路手术的远期疗效分析

目的探讨脊髓型颈椎病前路减压术后远期疗效和可能的影响因素。方法回顾分析我院1992年1月—2000年12月开展并获得长期(5年以上)随访的脊髓型颈椎病前路手术116例,其中男80例,女36例,年龄36～76岁,平均51岁,术前病程2个月～20年,平均19个月。病变累及节段:单节段65例(56．0％);双节段44例(37．9％);三节段7例(6．0％)。发病过程:缓慢发病98例,无诱因突然发病并迅速加重18例。采用以下三种前路术式:前路减压+自体髂骨植骨融合术;前路减压+TFC椎间融合术;前路减压+自体髂骨植骨融合+前路钛板内固定术。采用日本骨科学会制定的JOA评分系统评定患者神经功能恢复情况,对术后远期疗效和相关影响因素进行分析。结果平均随访时间7年3个月(5～12年)。JOA评分术前(9．34±1．81)分,术后2周(10．35±1．85)分,末次随访(14．09±1．90)分,术后改善率63．2％。术后疗效评价:优27例(23．3％),良47例(40．5％),可23例(19．8％),差19例(16．4％),优良率63．8％。经多因素回归分析,手术疗效与发病年龄、病程、神经功能损伤严重程度、病变的范围(节段数)密切相关,而与选择融合和固定方式无关。结论脊髓型颈椎病一经确诊后应严密观察,早期采取前路减压和稳定手术可获得较好的长期疗效。     

Gait analysis of spastic walking in patients with cervical compressive myelopathy

To assess neurological status and to evaluate the effect of surgical decompression in patients with cervical myelopathy, we performed computerized gait analysis in 24 patients with cervical compressive myelopathy who showed spastic walking. Gait analysis was repeated during neurological follow-up that averaged 32.4 months. The gait pattern in patients with severe myelopathy was characterized by hyperextension of the knee in the stance phase without plantar flexion of the ankle in the swing phase, significantly reduced walking speed and step length, prolonged stance phase duration and decreased single-stance phase duration, and increased step width. The angle of flexion of the knee joint in the stance phase was significantly correlated with the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Postoperative neurological improvement was associated with increased walking speed and decreased extension angle of the knee joint (single-stance phase and swing phase). Postoperatively, 12 patients had normalized extension of the knee in stance phase and their walking speed, cadence, stance phase duration, and single-stance phase duration, as well as step length and width, showed nonsignificant differences from these parameters in healthy controls. Our results show that kinesiological gait analysis is clinically useful for the functional assessment of the severity of spastic walking in cervical myelopathy.     

Hybrid手术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的临床疗效分析

目的 探讨融合兼非融合手术(Hybrid)治疗脊髓型颈椎病疗效、手术要点及适应证.方法 2008年8月至2011年12月采用Hybrid手术治疗脊髓型颈椎病患者38例,男27例,女11例,年龄33～70岁,平均51岁.共86个节段,涉及双节段28例,三节段10例,融合48个节段,非融合38个节段.术前及末次随访采用日本矫形外科协会(Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA)评分系统评估神经系统功能;采用疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)评估疼痛;在颈椎X线片上测量颈椎活动度及人工椎间盘与相邻节段高度;观察手术并发症.结果 38例患者中37例获得随访,随访15～55个月(平均29.1个月).36例患者神经系统功能得到不同程度恢复,JOA评分术前(10.5±1.57)分,末次随访(14.3±1.97)分,改善率为58.46％,优16例,良20例,差1例.VAS评分术前(7.3±1.04)分,末次随访(3.2±1.41)分,颈椎Cobb角由术前25°±3.21°改善至末次随访20°±2.56°.术后l例神经功能未见恢复,2例出现声音嘶哑、饮水呛咳,22例出现咽喉疼痛,3例PCM假体前移.其余病例均未见假体移位、内植物松动及异位骨化等发生.结论 Hybrid手术可以彻底减压病变节段,融合退变严重的节段,保留非融合节段的活动度,使患者颈椎达到稳定,症状明显改善,短期疗效满意,是一种可供选择的治疗方案.     

脊髓型颈椎病对男性勃起功能影响的临床分析

目的:探讨脊髓型颈椎病对男性性功能的影响及手术后性功能的恢复情况。方法:通过前瞻性随访22例男性患者,均因脊髓型颈椎病伴有性功能障碍接受手术治疗,术后随访平均16个月。手术前后的神经功能按照JOA评分标准,性功能评定采用勃起功能相关指数(IIEF-5),同时对手术前后患者反射性勃起和心理性勃起的情况进行对比研究。结果:大多数患者术后神经功能明显好转,术后JOA评分比术前提高(13.50±1.22vs9.64±1.87,P<0.01)。正常反射性勃起手术前后比较有显著性差异(95%vs82%,P<0.05),正常心理性勃起手术前后比较有显著性差异(91%vs18%,P<0.01),术后多数患者性功能明显好转,平均IIEF-5指数由术前的9.90±2.22提高到术后的20.89±3.89,两者差异显著(P<0.01)。结论:除了神经功能障碍外,脊髓型颈椎病也可导致性功能障碍,大多数表现心理性勃起异常而反射性勃起正常。术后随着神经功能的恢复,多数患者性功能也得以好转。     

Surgical treatment for cervical myelopathy in patients aged > 80 years

The surgical outcomes of 13 patients who were diagnosed with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were reviewed retrospectively. Mean patient age at surgery was 83 years. The severity of cervical spondylotic myelopathy was evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score. Daily activities were evaluated using the Barthel index. The preoperative JOA score and Barthel index were 7.8 and 63.5, respectively. The mean JOA score and Barthel index maximum recovery rate were 35% and 24%, respectively. The results of this study imply that surgery for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy aged > 80 years is warranted.     

影响单开门椎管扩大成形术治疗颈椎病疗效的术后相关因素分析

目的 探讨单开门椎管扩大成形术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病术后因素对手术效果的影响.方法 回顾性分析2001年5月至2006年12月接受单开门椎管扩大成形术治疗的多节段脊髓型颈椎病患者.选取JOA改善率>75%(A组38例)和<25%的病例(B组32例)进行分析.对两组患者年龄、性别、病程、术前JOA评分、术前Pavlov比率、术前颈椎活动度、术前颈椎曲度指数、脊髓受压节段数、随访时间等可能影响术后JOA改善率的术前参数行统计学分析,两组只在年龄和术前JOA评分上差异有统计学意义.去除两组中年龄>60岁的病例以及JOA评分<6分的病例.A组剩余24例(A1组),B组18例(B1组).再次对A1组和B1组行以上统计学分析,两组各项参数差异均无统计学意义.对A1和B1两组术后颈椎活动范围及其改变率、术后颈椎曲度指数及其改变率、术后Pavlov比率及椎管扩大率等六项参数进行成组设计t检验,并与JOA改善率进行相关性分析.结果上述六项参数中除两组术后颈椎活动范围差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),其余五项参数差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).A1组中除术后颈椎活动范围与JOA改善率无相关性,其余指标均与JOA改善率有相关性;B1组中除术后颈椎活动范围及其改变率与JOA改善率无相关性,其余各指标均与JOA改善率有相关性.结论 术后减小颈椎活动范围、维持颈椎前凸及尽量扩大椎管直径有利于神经功能的恢复.     

单开门椎管扩大成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病疗效分析

目的　评价后路单开门椎管扩大成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的疗效及影响因素。方法　对 4 7例脊髓型颈椎病行单开门椎管成型术 ,平均随访时间 39 2个月 ,手术前后应用JOA评分法 ,对脊髓功能的改善情况进行对比分析。结果　病程小于 6个月者 2、 3年改善率分别为 6 8 0 6 %、 6 9 2 1 % ;病程超过 6个月者 2、 3年改善率分别为 6 1 80 %、 6 2 4 3%。术后 2年的改善率与术前JOA评分呈负相关性 (r=- 0 30 )。结论　单开门椎管扩大成形术后疗效肯定 ,术后缓解率同病程长短以及术前脊髓功能受损程度有关 ,脊髓功能恢复在 2年时基本稳定     

选择性半椎板切除治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症

目的分析选择性半椎板切除治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症（ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, OPLL）的手术技术、适应证、优缺点及临床疗效。方法回顾性研究146例使用此术式治疗的严重多节段颈椎OPLL患者。采用日本骨科学会（Japanese Orthopaedic Association, JOA）评分评价患者的神经功能。分析手术技术要点及治疗效果。 结果术后平均随访3.3年（1~4年）。末次随访时患者的JOA评分平均为14.2,显著优于术前平均10.4分。JOA评分改善率平均为58.1%。颈椎前凸角术前平均为8.6°,末次随访时平均为9.0°,差异无统计学意义。所有患者术后未发现有C5神经根病的表现。结论选择性半椎板切除联合单侧侧块螺钉内固定是治疗严重多节段颈椎OPLL的一种有效方法,由于最大限度保留了颈椎后部结构,降低了C5神经根病及后凸畸形的发生率。     

Medium-term outcomes of C3�C6 laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy: a prospective study with a minimum 5-year follow-up

C3–6 laminoplasty preserving muscle insertions into the C7 spinous process is reportedly associated with a significantly decreased frequency of postoperative axial neck pain. However, no prospective study has reported medium-term outcomes of C3–6 laminoplasty. The purpose of this study was to elucidate medium-term outcomes after C3–6 laminoplasty. Subjects comprised 31 patients with cervical myelopathy who underwent C3–6 laminoplasty preserving all bilateral muscles attached to the C2 and C7 spinous processes and were followed for ≥5 years. Clinical and radiological data were prospectively collected. Neurological status was assessed using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Axial neck pain was graded as severe, moderate or mild. Sagittal alignment of the cervical spine and progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) were assessed by comparing serial lateral radiographs. Mean JOA score improved significantly from 10.6 before surgery to 14.7 at the time of maximum recovery, and slightly declined to 14.3 at final follow-up. In six patients who developed late deterioration, these conditions were unrelated to the cervical spine. As of final follow-up, only one patient (3.2%) had complained of axial neck pain persisting for 5 years. Although progression of OPLL was found in 63.6% of patients, none had experienced neurological deterioration due to this progression. At final follow-up, sagittal alignment of the cervical spine was more lordotic than before surgery. Medium-term outcomes of C3–6 laminoplasty were satisfactory. Frequencies of persistent axial neck pain and loss of cervical lordosis after surgery remained significantly decreased for ≥5 years postoperatively.     

Clinical outcomes after posterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery for destructive spondyloarthropathy in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis: A matched case–control study

BackgroundCervical destructive spondyloarthropathy (DSA) often leads to cervical myelopathy in long-term hemodialysis patients. However, the surgical outcomes after instrumented fusion surgery for cervical DSA are still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of cervical DSA in comparison with a control group.Materials and methodsA consecutive series of 20 undergoing long-term hemodialysis patients who underwent instrumented fusion surgery for cervical DSA between 2010 and 2016 were included in this study (DSA group). The mean age at surgery was 65 years, and there were 11 men and 9 women. The average length of hemodialysis was 23 years. The age- and sex-matched control group consisted of 20 patients (degenerative conditions). The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, recovery rate, complications, and loss of correction of fused level were compared between the groups.ResultsTwo of the 20 patients died due to perioperative complications. More than 1 year of follow-up data after surgery was available for 18 patients. The mean JOA score significantly increased from 5.4 before surgery to 9.7 at 1 year after surgery and 8.3 at the final follow-up (mean: 33.2 ± 21.3 months, P = 0.019). There were no significant differences in the mean recovery rate (41% vs. 37%, P = 0.44) between the DSA group and control group. Loss of correction of more than 5°was significantly higher in the DSA group (44% vs. 10%, P = 0.027). The rate of pseudarthrosis (17% vs. 5%, P = 0.328) and adjacent segment disease (22% vs. 10%, P = 0.17) tended to be higher in the DSA group.DiscussionThe clinical outcomes showed significant recovery in both groups. Therefore, posterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery was effective for treating cervical DSA.     

颈前路手术治疗4个节段脊髓型颈椎病的中期疗效分析

目的:探讨颈前路手术治疗4个节段脊髓型颈椎病的中期临床效果及其并发症分析。方法:回顾性分析2013年9月~2016年10月,行颈椎前路手术治疗的4个节段脊髓型颈椎病31例患者资料,男18例,女13例,年龄54~74岁,平均58.1±4.9岁,对所有患者进行随访,采用疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)评估颈肩肢体疼痛情况,日本骨科协会(Japanese Orthopedic Association,JOA)评分评估患者神经功能恢复情况,行颈椎正侧位及过伸过屈位X线片,观察钛网等内固定情况,测量C2~C7颈椎椎体高度和颈椎生理曲度,评估植骨融合情况。并记录患者手术相关并发症。结果:27例患者获得随访,随访时间为35~72个月,平均52.7±3.6个月。末次随访时VAS为1.6±0.6分,低于术前的7.2±1.5分,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。末次随访JOA评分为16.1±4.2分,高于术前的8.8±3.7分,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。至末次随访时,患者颈椎椎体高度及颈椎曲度较术前均有明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。所有患者均获得骨性融合,27例患者共出现19例次并发症,脑脊液漏3例,一过性吞咽困难2例,轴性症状1例,C5神经根麻痹2例,邻近节段退变6例,钛网下沉2例,内固定松动、移位2例,螺钉断裂1例。结论:颈前路手术治疗脊髓前方受压为主的4个节段脊髓型颈椎病,能有效恢复颈椎高度和维持颈椎曲度,其中期疗效满意。     

多节段脊髓型颈椎病在不同MRI T_2信号强度下三种手术方法疗效的回顾性研究

目的 探讨多节段脊髓型颈椎病量化MRI T_2信号强度等级后,不同手术方法选择的临 床应用价值.方法 2000年12月至2007年11月,共116例多节段脊髓型颈椎病患者,分别接受不同术式治疗.男86例,女30例;年龄31-78岁,平均58.73岁.术前所有患者均行高分辨率1.5 T MR成像并量化脊髓信号强度比值.将患者按比值大小平均分为三组,重点分析各信号等级组内患者及全体患者在三种手术治疗方法下的JOA评分改善率.结果 所有患者获得至少12个月随访,最长随访5年.中位随访14.5个月.术前JOA评分为(8.68±2.26)分,术后1年为(12.16±3.07)分,改善率为55.13%±15.27%.经秩和检验,在低信号强度比值组,改善率于三组间差异无统计学意义.在中信号强度比值组,改善率于三组间差异有统计学意义;进一步两两比较显示,前路手术组(71%)与后路手术组(47%)、后路手术组与前后路手术组(64%)改善率差异有统计学意义.在高信号强度比值组,改善率于三组间差异有统计学意义;进一步两两比较显示,前路手术组(20%)与后路手术组(36%)、前路手术组与前后路手术组(28%)改善率差异有统计学意义.结论 手术是治疗多节段颈椎病的有效方法,区分颈脊髓MRI T_2信号强度等级后,不同术式的疗效显示出相应差异.     

ACCF联合颈前路减压zero-p椎间植骨融合内固定术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病

目的探讨颈前路椎体次全切除减压融合术(ACCF)联合颈前路减压zero-p椎间植骨融合内固定术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析自2016-05—2017-07采用ACCF联合颈前路减压zero-p椎间植骨融合内固定术治疗的30例多节段脊髓型颈椎病,比较术前、术后1周及末次随访时JOA评分、颈椎Cobb角、椎间隙高度。结果30例均顺利完成手术并获得完整随访,随访时间平均21.6个月,切口均一期愈合,植骨均骨性愈合,无内固定松动、移位、断裂、伤口感染、声音嘶哑及神经功能加重等并发症。术后1例出现脑脊液漏,2例出现吞咽不适,非手术治疗后均治愈。术后1周与末次随访时JOA评分、颈椎Cobb角、椎间隙高度较术前均明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。末次随访时根据JOA评分改善率评定综合疗效:优12例,良14例,可4例。结论ACCF联合颈前路减压zerop椎间植骨融合内固定术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病安全可靠,能够有效地恢复椎间隙高度和颈椎生理曲度。     

Cage subsidence does not, but cervical lordosis improvement does affect the long-term results of anterior cervical fusion with stand-alone cage for degenerative cervical disc disease: a retrospective study

Objective

Clinical outcomes of the stand-alone cage have been encouraging when used in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), but concerns remain regarding its complications, especially cage subsidence. This retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the long-term radiological and clinical outcomes of the stand-alone titanium cage and to evaluate the incidence of cage subsidence in relation to the clinical outcome in the surgical treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease.

Methods

A total of 57 consecutive patients (68 levels) who underwent ACDF using a titanium box cage for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy were reviewed for the radiological and clinical outcomes. They were followed for at least 5 years. Radiographs were obtained before and after surgery, 3 months postoperatively, and at the final follow-up to determine the presence of fusion and cage subsidence. The Cobb angle of C2–C7 and the vertebral bodies adjacent to the treated disc were measured to evaluate the cervical sagittal alignment and local lordosis. The disc height was measured as well. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for cervical myelopathy, before and after surgery, and at the final follow-up. The recovery rate of JOA score was also calculated. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of neck and radicular pain were evaluated as well. The fusion rate was 95.6% (65/68) 3 months after surgery.

Results

Successful bone fusion was achieved in all patients at the final follow-up. Cage subsidence occurred in 13 cages (19.1%) at 3-month follow-up; however, there was no relation between fusion and cage subsidence. Cervical and local lordosis improved after surgery, with the improvement preserved at the final follow-up. The preoperative disc height of both subsidence and non-subsidence patients was similar; however, postoperative posterior disc height (PDH) of subsidence group was significantly greater than of non-subsidence group. Significant improvement of the JOA score was noted immediately after surgery and at the final follow-up. There was no significant difference of the recovery rate of JOA score between subsidence and non-subsidence groups. The recovery rate of JOA score was significantly related to the improvement of the C2–C7 Cobb angle. The VAS score regarding neck and radicular pain was significantly improved after surgery and at the final follow-up. There was no significant difference of the neck and radicular pain between both subsidence and non-subsidence groups.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the clinical and radiological outcomes of the stand-alone titanium box cage for the surgical treatment of one- or two-level degenerative cervical disc disease are satisfactory. Cage subsidence does not exert significant impact upon the long-term clinical outcome although it is common for the stand-alone cages. The cervical lordosis may be more important for the long-term clinical outcome than cage subsidence