Limited oblique corpectomy for treatment of ossified posterior longitudinal ligament

OBJECTIVE: We present our experience with treating four cases with ossified posterior longitudinal ligaments (OPLL) causing cervical cord compression by limited oblique and strategic corpectomy. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: Four patients with cervical OPLL were treated by the discussed technique during the period of October 2000 to January 2005. The ages of the patients ranged from 46 to 72 years. All patients presented with symptoms of progressively increasing myelopathy. Two patients had four level OPLL and two patients had two level OPLL. Surgery involved anterior cervical exposure and partial oblique corpectomy, which was essentially an extended midline and lateral undercutting of the body. The procedure provided a wide exposure for resection of the OPLL. No metal instrumentation or any other kind of fixation procedure was simultaneously carried out and there was no need for postoperative cervical immobilization. During the period of follow up that ranged from 6 month to 5 years (mean: 33 months) all the four patients have shown sustained clinical improvement. Neuroimaging studies confirmed satisfactory anatomical cervical cord decompression in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of oblique and strategic corpectomy provided a wide exposure for resection of the OPLL and preserved the stability of the region.     

不同椎间植入物内固定方式治疗长节段颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的比较

背景：颈椎长节段后纵韧带骨化症的治疗方法目前各界尚存争议,无指导性的标准方案。 目的：对比分析不同路径椎间植入物内固定治疗长节段颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的效果。 方法：随访35例长节段颈椎后纵韧带骨化症伴重度脊髓型颈椎病患者,前路内固定组10例患者采用颈前路椎体次全切、骨化灶切除或部分切除、椎间植骨融合内固定;后路内固定组16例患者采用颈后路单开门减压椎管成形、椎体侧块内固定;后路无内固定组9例患者采用后路单开门减压椎管成形。 结果与结论：患者均获随访,随访时间为6~24个月。治疗后12个月JOA评分改善率前路内固定组、后路内固定组、后路无内固定组分别为79.59%,83.01%及60.35%。治疗后前路内固定组1例患者并发脑脊液漏;后路无内固定组3例患者治疗后症状改善不明显;后路内固定组治疗效果好,无并发症。表明后路椎管成形经椎弓根钉内固定治疗长节段颈椎后纵韧带骨化症具有减压完全、安全有效、长期效果佳的特点,是治疗该病的一种较好方法。     

Multisegmental cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: anterior vs posterior approach

AIMS: To determine the surgical approach in patients with multisegmental (four or more segments) OPLL of the cervical spine. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data of 27 patients who had undergone either an anterior (corpectomy with excision of OPLL and interbody fusion = 14 patients) or posterior approach (laminectomy = 12, laminoplasty = 1 patient) for the multisegmental cervical OPLL was analyzed retrospectively. The patients in each group were statistically similar in respect to preoperative factors such as age, duration of symptoms, preoperative modified Japanese orthopedic association score, OPLL thickness, effective canal diameter, and antero-posterior cord compression ratio. The clinical outcome was assessed by the Harsh grading system and recovery rate was assessed by Hirabayashi method. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the outcome, and recovery rate. Nine patients developed complications after anterior approach in contrast to one after posterior approach. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with multisegmental cervical OPLL, there was no significant difference in the short-term recovery rate and outcome between two groups. The immediate postoperative complications were less in patients who had undergone posterior approach. From our analysis, it appears that the posterior approach is probably the preferred method of treatment in a multisegmental OPLL in absence of preoperative kyphosis.     

Subsidence and its effects on the anterior plate stabilization in the course of cervical interbody spondylodesis. Part II. Clinical evaluation. Study design

STUDY DESIGN: Subsidence is a common phenomenon in the process of interbody fusion. The paper presents a retrospective clinical and radiological evaluation of subsidence in a group of 23 patients after cervical corpectomy with mesh cage and plate stabilization. Subsidence magnitude and its impact on the stabilizing system and on the clinical and radiological outcome were estimated. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The mesh cage and cervical plate stabilization was preformed after one- (20 cases) or two-level (3 cases) corpectomy. The patients' mean age was 35 years (age range 18-72); 9 patients were aged over 50. Indications to corpectomy were: neurological impairment due to burst body fractures in 14 cases, multilevel spondylosis in 5, and OPLL in 2 patients. One patient had a kidney cancer metastasis. The mean follow-up period was 17 months (range 12-28 mo.). The patients' clinical status was evaluated using the ASIA scale in the post-traumatic group, and the Odom criteria in spondylotic cases. In all the cases pain severity was estimated by the VAS scale. Magnitude of subsidence was measured on consecutive lateral x-rays during the follow-up. Bone fusion was confirmed after 3 months in lateral flexion-extension x-rays. Changes in the local and general cervical lordosis were evaluated during the follow-up. RESULTS: A 72-year-old patient died after 6 weeks due to causes unrelated to the surgery. In all the remaining patients bone fusion was attained. There were no cases of the clinical status deterioration during the follow-up. Subsidence of over 1 mm was found in 19 patients (86.4%). The mean value of subsidence was 2.2 mm, but in a group of older patients (aged over 50) it amounted to 2.8 mm. In 4 cases (18.1%) with hardware complications, i.e. a screw breakage or slipping, the mean subsidence magnitude was 4.3 mm. Local and general cervical lordosis were maintained during the follow-up period, even in the group with excessive subsidence. The screw breakage site was invariably the round hole of the plate. CONCLUSIONS: The subsidence phenomenon is seen in a majority of fused patients. Nevertheless, clinical and radiological results of the surgery are good. An excessive subsidence may result from hardware complications. In newly designed plates subsidence should be taken into account.     

Single Stage Circumferential Cervical Surgery (Selective Anterior Cervical Corpectomy with Fusion and Laminoplasty) for Multilevel Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament with Spinal Cord Ischemia on MRI

Objective

Anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion (ACF) or laminoplasty may be associated with substantial number of complications for treating multilevel cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with significant cord compression. For more safe decompression and stabilization in multilevel cervical OPLL with prominent cord compression, we propose circumferential cervical surgery (selective ACF and laminoplasty) based on our favorable experience.

Methods

Twelve patients with cervical myelopathy underwent circumferential cervical surgery and all patients showed multilevel OPLL with signal change of the spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A retrospective review of clinical, radiological, and surgical data was conducted.

Results

There were 9 men and 3 women with mean age of 56.7 years and a mean follow up period of 15.6 months. The average corpectomy level was 1.16 and laminoplasty level was 4.58. The average Japanese Orthopedic Association score for recovery was 5.1 points and good clinical results were obtained in 11 patients (92%) (p < 0.05). The average space available for the cord improved from 58.2% to 87.9% and the average Cobb''s angle changed from 7.63 to 12.27 at 6 months after operation without failure of fusion (p < 0.05). Average operation time was 8.36 hours, with an estimated blood loss of 760 mL and duration of bed rest of 2.0 days. There were no incidences of significant surgical complications, including wound infection.

Conclusion

Although the current study examined a small sample with relatively short-term follow-up periods, our study results demonstrate that circumferential cervical surgery is considered favorable for safety and effectiveness in multilevel OPLL with prominent cord compression.     

Corpectomy with titanium cage reconstruction in the cervical spine

Multi-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been utilized by many surgeons to address multi-level cervical disease with the use of autograft or allograft. High failure rates have been reported in three-level decompressions when autograft is used, which increases with the use of allograft. This has led many surgeons to advocate anterior cervical corpectomy with strut grafting where only two surfaces are needed for fusion compared to the multiple surfaces required for multi-level ACDF. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of titanium cage use with autologous bone graft (resected vertebral bodies) and anterior cervical plating in 38 consecutive patients (aged 18-73 years) undergoing cervical decompression and corpectomy. Medical records were examined along with an outcome interview conducted in-person or by phone. Postoperative immobilization was achieved with a rigid cervical collar. Fusion was assessed by antero-posterior (AP), lateral, and flexion-extension radiographs and cervical spine CT scans. Fusion was assessed by AP, lateral, and flexion-extension radiographs and cervical spine CT scans. Clinical results included an exit interview. Solid bony fusion with graft incorporation was found in 37 of 38 patients (97.5%) at six months and 100% in one year. Compared to preoperative levels, 84% of patients rated their overall quality of life to have improved by 50% or greater and would have the same surgery again given the same conditions. There were few complications. Thus, titanium cage reconstruction with the use of autologous bone from a corpectomy and the use of an anterior cervical plate is an effective means of reconstruction after decompressive cervical corpectomy, and we conclude this is a viable alternative to multi-level ACDF or to procedures involving long strut grafts obtained from the patient or bone bank.     

Surgery for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine.

The authors present their surgical experience with fifty seven cases of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine, operated between January 1992 and January 1999. Continuous OPLL was seen in the majority of patients (40/57). Posterior decompressive surgery was performed in 18 patients, a median corpectomy and excision of the OPLL in 28 and anterior segmental decompression in 11 patients. One patient had a transient weakness of muscles supplied by the C5 myotome following a C4-C5 corpectomy. 84.2% of the patients showed improvement by at least one grade at the time of discharge. 92.8% of patients who underwent a corpectomy improved in the immediate post-operative period as compared to 90.9% of those who underwent an anterior segmental decompression and 83.3% of those who underwent a posterior decompressive procedure. 97.7% of the 44 patients followed-up between one and five years showed neurological improvement. Thirty-two patients (72.7 %) had regained normal or near normal neurological function and returned to their jobs. Good results were obtained when the surgical approach and the procedure adopted were individualised.     

A hollow cylindrical nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide composite strut for cervical reconstruction after cervical corpectomy

This retrospective study included 35 patients who had a nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide (n-HA/PA) composite strut implanted for cervical reconstruction and fusion after corpectomy from 2006 to 2008. The average follow-up period was 38.5 months (range: 24-48 months). The Japanese Orthopedic Association score and visual analog pain scale score were significantly improved and maintained to the last follow-up. The cervical curvature and the height of fused segments were also corrected significantly and retained to the last follow-up. A total of 94.3% of patients had achieved radiographic bony fusion at the postoperative 24-month follow-up. One patient presented with subsidence of the n-HA/PA composite strut and dislodgement of the screws, but the patient had no discomfort and no additional surgery was needed. We conclude that the n-HA/PA composite strut is scientifically and technically sound for cervical reconstruction and interbody fusion after corpectomy with anterior plate fixation.     

Acute graft extrusion following central corpectomy in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossified posterior longitudinal ligament

We studied the influence of surgeon experience, number of levels operated and level of the lower mortise on acute graft extrusion in patients undergoing uninstrumented one-level to three-level central corpectomy (CC) for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) or ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Between 1992 and 2005, 410 consecutive patients underwent one-level to three-level CC with autologous iliac (in one-level and two-level corpectomy) or fibular (in three-level corpectomy) graft. The surgeon’s experience was divided into four eras (I-IV; three eras of 100 consecutive patients each and the fourth with the last 110 patients). Eight patients (1.95%) experienced acute graft migration and seven required re-exploration. The graft extrusion rate in the first era was significantly higher than in the other three eras (6%, 1%, 1%, 0%; p = 0.01) implying a significant learning curve. The extrusion rates for one-level, two-level and three-level CC were not significantly different (3%, 1.6%, 0% respectively; p = 0.3). The extrusion rate for grafts ending in the C7 body (3/230, 1.6%) was not significantly different from the data for grafts ending in other bodies (5/180, 2.8%) (p = 0.23). There is a low incidence of acute graft migration in patients undergoing uninstrumented CC with autologous bone grafts with a significant learning curve in avoiding graft extrusion.     

Clinical experience using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) intervertebral structural cage for anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) is commonly performed for various pathologies involving the cervical spine. Although polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages have been widely used following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), clinical literature demonstrating its efficacy following ACCF is sparse. A retrospective review of patients enrolled in a prospective database who underwent single/multi-level ACCF was performed. Fifty-nine patients were identified who underwent corpectomy reconstruction with PEEK cages for symptomatic degenerative, neoplastic, infectious, or traumatic pathologies of the cervical spine. Thirty-five patients having at least 6 months follow-up (FU) were included in the final analysis. The mean age of patients was 51 years (range, 18–81 years) with FU ranging from 6 to 33 months (mean, 6.6 months). None of the patients had dysphagia at last FU. There was no implant failure with fusion occurring in all patients. While 57% of patients (20/35) remained stable with no progression of myelopathy, 43% (15/35) improved one (11 patients) or two (four patients) Nurick grades after surgery. The use of PEEK cages packed with autograft or allograft is safe and effective following anterior cervical corpectomy, demonstrating high fusion rates and good clinical results. This synthetic material obviates the morbidity associated with autograft harvest and possible infectious risks of allograft. The wide array of cage dimensions facilitates ease of use in patients of all sizes and appears safe for use in the typical pathologic conditions encountered in the cervical spine.     

Static versus dynamic factors for the development of myelopathy in patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

We studied 27 patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) but no clinical symptoms of myelopathy. We investigated the occupation ratio of the spinal canal by OPLL with cervical radiographs, assessed the morphological types of OPLL, and measured the segmental range of motion (ROM) at the level of maximum cord compression on flexion and extension radiographs. Patients were classified as having continuous-type OPLL (17 patients), mixed-type OPLL (seven patients), or segmental-type OPLL (three patients). The segmental ROM was negatively correlated with the OPLL occupation ratio (r = ?0.49, p < 0.01). No patient developed myelopathy during the study period. Three patients with massive OPLL did not develop myelopathy and the mobility of their cervical spine was highly restricted, suggesting that dynamic factors such as the segmental ROM preferentially contribute to the development of myelopathy in patients with cervical OPLL. Thus, by controlling the dynamic factors (hypermobility), we might be able to reduce neurological deterioration in patients with cervical OPLL.     

Surgery for dural ossification in association with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament via an anterior approach

STUDY DESIGN: Direct removal of an ossified mass via an anterior approach carries good decompression, to one- or two-level ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine. Ossification occasionally involves not only the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) but also the underlying dura mater. Defect of the dura mater by resection of the dural ossification (DO) can cause cerebrospinal fluid leakage or neural injury. The technique of resection of OPLL with floating of DO provides satisfactory decompression and avoids dural defect or neural injury in OPLL associated with DO. METHODS: Four patients developed cervical myelopathy. Radiological examination revealed cord compression due to OPLL associated with DO. RESULTS: All patients underwent anterior procedures. After the necessary discectomies and corpectomies, OPLL was resected using a high-speed drill with a 4-mm steel burr and then with a 4-mm diamond burr. When the OPLL became paper-thin, it was separated from the dura mater using a microdissector and a Kerrison rongeur. There was a thin layer of the nonossified degenerated PLL between the residual OPLL and DO. Meticulous dissection of the residual OPLL over the DO was performed without removing the DO at this layer. Fixation was performed with a titanium cylindrical cage. CONCLUSION: This technical note describes the successful decompression of the spinal cord by removing OPLL only, and avoidance of dural defect or neural injury in cases of OPLL associated with DO.     

Mid- to long-term outcomes of posterior decompression with instrumented fusion for thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Posterior decompression with instrumented fusion (PDF) surgery has been previously reported as a relatively safe surgical procedure for any type of thoracic ossification of the longitudinal ligament (OPLL). However, mid- to long-term outcomes are still unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mid- to long-term clinical outcome of PDF surgery for thoracic OPLL patients. The present study included 20 patients who had undergone PDF for thoracic OPLL and were followed for at least 5 years. Increment change and recovery rate of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score were assessed. Revision surgery during the follow-up period was also recorded. Average JOA scores were 3.5 preoperatively and 7.1 at final follow-up. The average improvement in JOA score was 3.8 points and the average recovery rate was 47.0%. The JOA score showed gradual increase after surgery, and took 9 months to reach peak recovery. As for neurological complications, two patients suffered postoperative paralysis, but both recovered without intervention. Six revision surgeries in four patients were related to OPLL. Additional anterior thoracic decompression for remaining ossification at the same level of PDF surgery was performed in one patient. Decompression surgery for deterioration of symptoms of pre-existing cervical OPLL was performed in three patients. One patient had undergone lumbar and cervical PDF surgery for de novo ossification foci of the lumbar and cervical spine. PDF surgery for thoracic OPLL is thus considered a relatively safe and stable surgical procedure considering the mid- to long-term outcomes.     

Surgery for acute subaxial traumatic central cord syndrome without fracture or dislocation.

Twenty-two patients with subaxial acute traumatic central cord syndrome (CCS) without fracture or dislocation who underwent surgery between 1995 and 2002 were reviewed, retrospectively. There were 13 males and nine females ranging in age from 24 to 84 years (mean 61.2). Falls were the most common injury (68%), followed by motor vehicle accidents (32%). All patients had dynamic cervical lateral radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cord compression was present in all cases and cervical instability in 11. Associated pathology included disc herniation in seven patients, cervical spondylosis (CS) in 11 and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in four. Anterior decompression and fusion was performed in 12 patients with 1- or 2-level lesions. Posterior decompression and fusion was performed for multilevel lesions in 11 patients, including one patient who required re-operation. The interval between injury and surgery ranged from 1 to 37 days (mean 8.0). Postoperatively, all patients improved clinically. We conclude that surgical management of subaxial acute traumatic CCS without fracture or dislocation improved neurological status and prevented delayed neurological deterioration in our patients.     

一期前后路联合手术治疗多节段颈椎间盘突出合并后纵韧带骨化症

背景：多节段颈椎间盘突出合并后纵韧带骨化症会对患者产生严重的脊髓损伤,手术治疗方案目前仍存在争议。采取一期前后路的手术方式治疗能否达到满意效果尚不清楚。 目的：观察采取一期前后路联合手术治疗多节段颈椎间盘突出合并后纵韧带骨化症的临床疗效。 方法：选择武汉同济医院骨科收治的颈椎多节段颈椎间盘突出合并后纵韧带骨化症患者17例,男11例,女6例,年龄42~74岁,平均51.5岁;均采用一期前后路联合手术治疗。术前X射线,CT或MRI检查提示颈椎被多个节段的颈椎间盘突出和骨化的后纵韧带压迫。术后定期复查X射线观察融合率和稳定性及并发症发生情况。 结果与结论：术后伤口均一期愈合情况,全体病例术后随访6~36个月,平均24.5个月。JOA术后6个月评分为(12.88±2.47)分,较术前(6.41±1.28)分明显提高(P < 0.05)。JOA评分改善率为：优5例,良7例,可4例,优良率71%。全体病例植骨在三四个月后均获得融合,颈椎间隙高度及生理曲度恢复满意,未出现内固定断裂、松动及脱出等并发症。提示对于治疗多节段颈椎间盘突出合并后纵韧带骨化症,一期前后路联合手术能早期彻底地减压并重建脊柱的即刻稳定性,是安全有效的手术方式。     

The Clinical Significance of Ossification of Ligamentum Nuchae in Simple Lateral Radiograph : A Correlation with Cervical Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Objective

Ossification of the ligamentum nuchae (OLN) is usually asymptomatic and incidentally observed in cervical lateral radiographs. Previous literatures reported the correlation between OLN and cervical spondylosis. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical significance of OLN with relation to cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Methods

We retrospectively compared the prevalence of OPLL in 105 patients with OLN and without OLN and compared the prevalence of OLN in 105 patients with OPLL and without OPLL. We also analyzed the relationship between the morphology of OLN and involved OPLL level. The OPLL level was classified as short (1-3) or long (4-6), and the morphologic subtype of OLN was categorized as round, rod, or segmented.

Results

The prevalence of OPLL was significantly higher in the patients with OLN (64.7%) than without OLN (16.1%) (p=0.0001). And the prevalence of OLN was also higher in the patients with OPLL (54.2%) than without OPLL (29.5%) (p=0.0002). In patients with round type OLN, 5 of 26 (19.2%) showed long level OPLL, while in patients with larger type (rod and segmented) OLN, 22 of 42 (52.3%) showed long level OPLL (p=0.01).

Conclusion

There was significant relationship between OLN and OPLL prevalence. This correlation indicates that there might be common systemic causes as well as mechanical causes in the formation of OPLL and OLN. The incidentally detected OLN in cervical lateral radiograph, especially larger type, might be helpful to predict the possibility of cervical OPLL.     

颈椎后纵韧带骨化的发生和病因学研究

目的　阐述颈椎后纵韧带骨化（ Ｏ Ｐ Ｌ Ｌ） 的发生和病因学。方法　取２０ 例新鲜颈椎标本（１０ 例３０ 岁以下, １０ 例６０ 岁以上） 拍 Ｘ 线平片后, 后纵韧带切片行光镜和电镜检查。１０ 例颈椎 Ｏ Ｐ Ｌ Ｌ和２８ 例颈椎病患者术前行 Ｘ 线平片和 Ｃ Ｔ 检查, 术中取后纵韧带行组织学检查。结果　年轻标本的 Ｘ 线平片和光镜 检查以及老年标本的 Ｘ 线平片检查均未见后纵韧带骨化, 但老年标本在光镜检查中发现４ 例后纵韧带有骨化灶; ６ 例未发现骨化者, 在电镜检查中５ 例有钙化小泡和（ 或） 钙化小体。１０ 例 Ｏ Ｐ Ｌ Ｌ 患者的光镜, Ｘ 线平片和（ 或） Ｃ Ｔ 检查中后纵韧带均呈骨化状。２８ 例颈椎病患者的 Ｘ 线平片或 Ｃ Ｔ 检查均未见后纵韧带骨化, 但在光镜检查中发现１０ 例后纵韧带呈小灶状骨化。其他患者有１６ 例在电镜检查中发现钙化小泡和 （ 或） 钙化小体。结论　这些研究结果提示颈椎 Ｏ Ｐ Ｌ Ｌ并不是一种独立疾病过程, 而是颈椎病的一种特殊表现。就象颈椎病一样, 它的发生和病因学可能是老化后内分泌和代谢平衡失调, 加之颈椎的局部活动等多因素综合作用的结果。     

Radiographic Comparison of Four Anterior Fusion Methods in Two Level Cervical Disc Diseases : Autograft Plate Fixation versus Cage Plate Fixation versus Stand-Alone Cage Fusion versus Corpectomy and Plate Fixation

Objective

To evaluate radiographic results of anterior fusion methods in two-level cervical disc disease : tricortical autograft and plate fixation (ACDF-AP), cage and plate fixation (ACDF-CP), stand-alone cage (ACDF-CA), and corpectomy and plate fixation (ACCF).

Methods

The numbers of patients were 70 with a minimum 6 month follow-up (ACDF-AP : 12, ACDF-CP : 27, ACDF-CA : 15, and ACCF : 16). Dynamic simple X-ray and computed tomography were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, 6 month, and at the final follow-up. The fusion and subsidence rates at the final were determined, and global cervical lordosis (GCL), cervical range of motion, fused segment angle (FSA), and fused segment height (FSH) were analyzed.

Results

Nonunion was observed in 4 (25%) patients with ACDF-CA, 1 (8%) patient with ACDF-AP, 1 (4%) patient with ACDF-CP. The number of loss of FSH (%) more than 3 mm were 2 patients (16%) in ACDF-AP, 3 patients (11%) in ACDF-CP, 5 patients (33%) in ACDF-CA, and 3 patients (20%) in ACCF. The GCL was decreased with ACDF-CA and increased with others. The FSA was increased with ACDF-AP, ACDF-CP, and ACCF, but ACDF-CA was decreased. At the final follow-up, the FSH was slightly decreased in ACDF-CP, ACDF-AP, and ACCF, but ACDF-CA was more decreased. Graft related complication were minimal. Screw loosening, plate fracture, cage subsidence and migration were not identified.

Conclusion

ACDF-CP demonstrated a higher fusion rate and less minimal FSH loss than the other fusions in two-level cervical disc disease. The ACDF-AP and ACCF methods had a better outcome than the ACDF-CA with respect to GCL, FSA, and FSH.     

Anterior cervical corpectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: experience and surgical results in a series of 70 consecutive patients.

Recently the debate over the management of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) has regained interest; more specifically whether treatment should be operative versus non-operative, raising the question about the real effectiveness of surgery in influencing the natural history of this pathology and about the choice of the most appropriate approach (anterior vs. posterior). The authors report a retrospective review of 70 consecutive patients who underwent elective anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion with iliac crest autograft or titanium mesh and placement of an anterior cervical plate for the treatment of CSM. The patients underwent pre-and postoperative evaluation, including history, and physical and neurological examination. Patients were also evaluated pre-and postoperatively using a modified version of the Japanese Orthopedics Association Scale (mJOA), which provides a fine semi-quantitative graded evaluation of overall function. Upon discharge home, patients were followed for an average of 42 months (range, 12-63 months). Following an anterior cervical decompression of the spinal cord, 94.2% of patients improved their functional status and 5.8% were unchanged; the mean preoperative mJOA score of all patients was 12.2, the postoperative was 15.4 and the amelioration was also documented by neurophysiological studies which showed an increase in amplitude and decrease in latency of somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potential in 47 patients (67%). Older age and longer duration of preoperative symptoms both were not associated with a lower postoperative mJOA score (p < 0.47, p < 0.29, respectively). Single versus multiple level decompression was not predictive of a lower postoperative mJOA score (p < 0.18). Preoperative spinal cord low signal intensity changes on T1-weighted MRI were related to a lower postoperative mJOA score (p < 0.05), whereas spinal cord high-signal intensity changes on T2-weighted MRI were related to a higher postoperative mJOA score (p < 0.01); finally a lower preoperative mJOA score was highly predictive of a lower postoperative mJOA score (p < 0.0005). Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion for CSM appears to be an effective procedure with a more favorable neurological improvement when compared to posterior decompressive laminectomy, minimally invasive procedures or non-surgical treatment. It is also a safe procedure even in the elderly population, with low morbidity and the potential for permanent spinal cord decompression and excellent bone stability.     

Multilevel subtotal corpectomy and interbody fusion using a fibular bone graft for cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

A retrospective study of the outcomes of multilevel anterior decompression and interbody fusion for cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) was performed to both investigate the long-term results and assess the cause of late deterioration. Twenty-seven patients (mean age, 58.1 years) underwent this procedure and were followed for at least 5 years. The severity of the clinical symptoms was described using the scoring system for cervical myelopathy proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA score). The average preoperative JOA score was 7.7, and the score at final follow-up was 13.4 with a recovery rate of 62.0%. A delayed deterioration was attributed to a thoracolumbar lesion other than a compromising alteration of the cervical spine. Consequently, this method of treatment for OPLL could stop the progress of ossification and keep a physiological cervical alignment and thus provide good long-term results.