Disc height loss after anterior cervical microdiscectomy with titanium intervertebral cage fusion

Summary ¶Background. The use of a graft in cervical inter-vertebral disc repair is still a controversial procedure. The aim of the treatment is to restore the physiological disc height and to achieve fusion. This study was performed to determine the rate of narrowing of the cervical intervertebral disc after using a titanium cervical intervertebral cage (BAK-C; Sulzer Spine Tech, Minneapolis, MN). Methods. 43 patients were included in the study. Each had a cervical disc protrusion, resulting in radiculopathy. All underwent surgery involving an anterior one level cervical microdiscectomy and fusion with a cylindrical titanium cage. The mean follow-up time was 18±5 months. Findings. The extent of the mean narrowing rate of disc space was 35.6±9%. The fusion rate was 98% and the mean time to fusion was 6 months. Interpretation. The use of a cervical intervertebral cage in anterior cervical microdiscectomy does not prevent the loss of the height of the cervical disc space after the operation.Published online July 25, 2003     

Outcome analyses of interbody titanium cage fusion used in the anterior discectomy for cervical degenerative disc disease

Anterior discectomy and fusion to treat cervical degenerative disc disease is the preferred procedure for many spine surgeons. The ideal device for structural reconstruction of the anterior cervical spine remains controversial. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the effectiveness of a non-threaded titanium cage in performing anterior spinal fusion for cervical degenerative disc disease. The clinical and radiologic data of 78 consecutive patients were reviewed. Neurologic outcome was assessed using Odom's criteria. Neck pain was graded using a 10-point visual analog scale. The cervical spinal curvature, the height of foramina, and fusion status were evaluated on preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Mean follow-up was 24.9 (range 18-35) months. An excellent or good result was found in 92% of the patients with radiculopathy, 69% of those with myelopathy, and 73% of those with myeloradiculopathy. Statistical analyses also showed improvement of cervical pain after surgery (P < 0.001) and a significant increase in foraminal height (P = 0.035). Cervical kyphosis was present in 27 (34%) patients before surgery; it was corrected to lordosis in 9. The fusion rate at 12 months and 24 months was 91% and 95%, respectively. No surgery or cage-related complication occurred in these patients. Non-threaded interbody cage fusion in this study achieved a high fusion rate and had a good neurologic outcome. These results suggest that non-threaded cage fusion is a safe and effective method for anterior cervical discectomy.     

Anterior corpectomy with iliac bone fusion or discectomy with interbody titanium cage fusion for multilevel cervical degenerated disc disease

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical and radiologic study evaluating the outcome after anterior corpectomy with iliac bone fusion compared with discectomy with interbody titanium cage fusion for multilevel cervical degenerated disc disease. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of interbody titanium cage with plate fixation in multilevel postdiscectomy fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The operation for segmental multilevel cervical degenerated disc disease remains controversial. Data on safety and efficacy of titanium cages in multilevel postdiscectomy fusion are rarely available. We investigated the safety and effectiveness of interbody fusion cages with plate fixation and compared the clinical and radiographical results between anterior corpectomy and iliac bone fusion with plate fixation and multilevel discectomy and cage fusion with plate fixation. METHODS: Sixty-two patients were treated with either a multilevel discectomy and cage fusion with plate fixation (27 patients, group A) or an anterior corpectomy and iliac graft fusion with plate fixation (35 patients, group B). We evaluated the patients for cervical lordosis, fusion status, and stability 24 months postoperatively on the basis of spine radiographs. The patients' neurologic outcomes were assessed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores. Neck pain was graded using a 10-point visual analog scale. RESULTS: Both groups A and B demonstrated a significant increase in the JOA scores (preoperatively 11.1+/-2.1 and 10.4+/-3.5, postoperatively 14.3+/-2.4 and 13.9+/-2.1, respectively) and a significant decrease in the visual analog pain scores (preoperatively 8.5+/-1.1 and 8.7+/-1.5, postoperatively 2.9+/-1.8 and 3.0+/-2.0, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between groups A and B. Both groups A and B showed a significant increase in the cervical lordosis after operation and reached satisfactory fusion rates (96.3% and 91.4%, respectively). Three patients (two 2-level corpectomies and one 3-level corpectomy) had construct failures that required a second operation. Eight of 35 patients who underwent iliac bone fusion had donor site pain. The hospital stay in group A was significantly shorter than that in group B (P=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Either a multilevel discectomy and cage fusion with plating or a corpectomy and iliac bone fusion with plating provides good clinical results and similar fusion rates for cervical degenerative disc disease. However, absence of donor site complications and construct failures and shorter hospital stay make the multilevel discectomy and cage fusion with plate fixation better than corpectomy and strut graft fusion with plate fixation.     

颈椎前路钢板加椎间融合器治疗外伤性颈椎间盘突出症

目的探讨颈椎前路钢板加椎间融合器治疗外伤性颈椎间盘突出症的疗效。方法对21例外伤性颈椎间盘突出症患者行颈椎前路钢板加椎间融合器治疗。结果患者均获随访,时间5～15个月。植骨均达骨性愈合,愈合时间12～22周。无骨不连发生。神经功能改善明显。根据JOA评分评定疗效:优16例,良4例,可1例。结论颈椎前路减压、椎间盘切除、钢板加椎间融合器治疗外伤性颈椎间盘突出症的疗效满意。     

前路颈椎桥形锁定融合器(ROI-C)治疗退变性颈椎间盘疾病的临床应用分析

[目的]观察前路颈椎桥形锁定融合器(ROI-C)置入内固定术治疗退变性颈椎间盘疾病的临床疗效。[方法]2011年9月~2013年9月采用颈前路椎间盘摘除、椎管减压、ROI-C椎间融合器植骨融合术治疗退变性颈椎间盘疾病55例(71个节段),其中脊髓型颈椎病31例,神经根型颈椎病24例;单节段45例,双节段10例。评估术前及术后第3、6、12个月患者视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分和日本骨科学会(JOA)评分及放射学检查。记录假体沉降、融合器位置、融合节段Cobb角、融合情况和椎间稳定性以及并发症等。[结果]55例患者中,48例(64个节段)获得最少12个月随访(平均18.1个月)。术前平均椎间隙高度为5.24 mm,术后3 d为7.86 mm,术后12个月为7.64 mm。术后3、6、12个月VAS评分、JOA评分、融合节段Cobb角及椎间隙高度均优于术前,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。按VAS评估标准,术后12个月时优32例,良12例,可4例,优良率92%(44/48);按JOA评分标准,术后12个月时优30例,良14例,可4例,优良率92%(44/48)。随访过程中4例发生融合器沉降,1例发生融合器嵌片退出。术后12个月根据颈椎过屈过伸位X线片判断椎间稳定率100%,融合率100%。术后均未发现吞咽困难、伤口血肿、呼吸困难、感染等严重并发症。[结论]颈椎前路ROI-C椎间融合器具有良好的力学稳定性,可有效恢复颈椎生理曲度和椎间隙高度。     

同种异体骨笼在颈椎前路融合的应用观察

目的：探讨应用同种异体骨笼行颈椎前路融合的效果。方法：对287例颈椎疾患采用颈椎前路减压、同种异体骨笼植入椎体间融合术，随访观察神经功能恢复、植骨融合情况、椎间隙高度和颈椎生理曲度变化及内置物并发症等。结果：全组手术历时平均50min，术中出血量平均110ml。228例获平均14个月随访。骨融合时间为3-5个月，平均4个月；单节段骨融合率为98．3％，双节段为94．4%，三节段为86．9％，平均93．3％。椎体间高度术后即时略有增高，术后3—5个月内有丢失，之后稳定。颈椎生理曲度恢复并维持，仅1例向后成角畸形；3例出现骨笼崩裂。无植骨排斥反应。结论：用同种异体骨笼行颈椎体间融合的融合率达90％以上；可缩短手术时间．减少并发症．能替代自体髂骨移植。     

异体骨椎间融合器在颈椎前路融合术中的应用价值

目的探讨螺纹异体骨椎间融合支架(allograft interbody fusion cage,AIFC)在颈椎前融合术中的应用价值.方法自1998年6月～2000年6月,采用AIFC行颈椎前路融合术90例,其中男35例,女55例,年龄37～72岁,平均47岁,其中神经根型颈椎病56例,脊髓型颈椎病32例,椎动脉型颈椎病2例.采用颈前横行切口,C臂X线透视定位病变间隙,行环钻前路减压,AIFC植入融合固定.术后随访观察AIFC的融合率,椎间高度维持情况及有无并发症.结果76例获得良好随访,随访时间18个月～3年,平均26个月,术后3 d、1、3、6、9、12、18、24个月常规X线片检查,74例获得骨性融合,融合率为97.3%,椎间高度维持良好,AIFC无移位,2例成角畸形愈合,颈椎呈后凸畸形.结论AIFC具有良好的维持椎间高度功能,抗压缩、抗旋转,稳定性好,椎间融合率高,符合颈椎生物力学及临床要求.     

Combined interbody cage and anterior plating in the surgical treatment of cervical disc disease

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of treatment of symptomatic cervical disc herniation using interbody cages and anterior plate fixation. Fifteen patients were studied retrospectively. An MRI study of the cervical spine was performed preoperatively in all patients. The levels involved were C5-C6 in 9 cases, C6-C7 in 4 and C3-C4 in 1, while 1 patient had disc disease at the C5-C6, C6-C7 levels, Surgical treatment included anterior approach of the cervical spine, removal of the degenerative disc, excision of osteophytes and insertion of an interbody cage which was filled in with bovine allograft and demineralised bone matrix. The spinal unit was stabilized with an anterior plate and screws. No cervical splint was used postoperatively. The patients were followed up for 7 years on average after surgery. No failure or migration of the implants was noted, while bone fusion was achieved radiologically within 6 months postoperatively in all cases. The benefits of this surgical technique are the maintenance of cervical lordosis and disc space height, the high fusion rate, as well as avoidance of cervical orthoses.     

Long-term follow-up results in patients with cervical disk disease treated by cervical anterior fusion using titanium cage implants

This study is a retrospective analysis of 146 patients, 85 males and 61 females aged 21-80 years (mean 52 years), with cervical disk disease who underwent anterior fusion and titanium cage implantation with follow-up periods of no less than 72 months after surgery. All patients underwent the conventional anterior cervical approach. After removing the protruded disk and osteophyte, cylindrical titanium cages were placed. Single, two, and three level fusion was performed in 76 (52%), 64 (44%), and 6 (4%) patients, respectively. Functional assessment used the Neurosurgical Cervical Spine Scale (NCSS). The curvature index and range of motion were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. The clinical outcomes were satisfactory and there were no significant complications. The mean NCSS was 9.7 before and 12.7 at 1 year after the operation, and 12.1 at final examination. No postoperative cage extrusion or pseudoarthrosis occurred, but the cages descended in 10 patients (7%) although alignment was satisfactory. At 5 years after the operation, 140 of the 146 patients (96%) had solid fusion. The long-term results of anterior fusion with titanium cage implantation in patients with cervical disk disease were satisfactory. Titanium cage placement is a highly useful alternative to the conventional treatment method in these patients.     

Preliminary experience using a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage in the treatment of cervical disc disease

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effectiveness of a new material, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), in a spinal cage used in performing cervical spinal fusion for the correction of cervical kyphosis. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with various cervical diseases were divided into two groups. Patients in Group A (40 patients) underwent microdiscectomy and PEEK cage fusion, and patients in Group B (40 patients) were treated with microdisectomy and autogenous iliac crest graft (AICG) fusion. We evaluated the patients for cervical lordosis, the height of the foramina, the cross sectional area of the foramina, and fusion status on the basis of x-rays. The patients' neurological and functional outcomes were assessed on the basis of the Prolo scale. Magnetic resonance imaging was also performed for spinal cord evaluation. RESULTS: The use of the PEEK cage in patients who undergo spinal fusion may increase cervical lordosis (mean, 2.33 +/- 3.00 mm; P = 0.03), whereas AICG fusion may not (mean, -0.84 +/- 6.69 mm; P = 0.49). The use of the PEEK cage was found to increase the height of the foramina (mean, 2.54 +/- 1.40 mm; P = 0.00) and increase its cross sectional area (mean, 40.36 +/- 23.53 mm2; P = 0.00). The height of the foramina increased only in the PEEK group postoperatively. The cross sectional area of the foramina increased in both groups postoperatively. The complication rate in patients who underwent fusion procedures with the PEEK cage was less than that in patients who underwent fusion with AICG fusion (2.50 versus 17.50%; P = 0.03). Both groups had a satisfactory fusion rate (100 versus 93.1%). The patients' postoperative Prolo scale scores were statistically better in the PEEK group (8.50 +/- 1.49 versus 7.17 +/- 2.13; P = 0.00), and more patients in the PEEK group than in the AICG group achieved excellent outcomes (66.63 versus 28.57%; P = 0.00). Because PEEK is radiotransparent on x-rays and few artifacts are seen on magnetic resonance imaging scans, it is better suited than autogenous iliac crest donor material for postoperative radiographic evaluation. CONCLUSION: The PEEK cage provides solid fusion, increased cervical lordosis, and increased height and cross sectional area of the foramina. There are few complications associated with the use of this cage, and the functional and neurological outcomes are satisfactory. It also facilitates postoperative x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation. The PEEK cage is therefore a good substitute for AICG fusion in patients with cervical disc disease.     

同种异体骨圈在颈椎前路融合术中的应用

目的 了解同种异体骨圈 (allograft fusion cage, AFC)在颈椎前路椎体融合术中应用的效果。方法 从 1995年 9月 ,在 31例颈椎病、 6例颈椎骨折脱位、 2例急性颈椎间盘脱出症患者行颈椎前路手术中 ,将自制 AFC植入到 61个病变椎间隙。术后观察临床效果及手术并发症 ,并行 X线评价。结果 39例患者随访平均 28.6个月 ,临床效果满意,无神经并发症发生,无 AFC移位脱出。术后 3个月摄动态 X线片, 61个椎间隙平均 3.9个月完全骨性愈合。 59个椎间隙无塌陷、成角畸形, 2例 2个椎间隙因过早去除外固定,椎间高度轻度丢失。结论 与传统颈椎前路减压椎间融合术相比, AFC植入操作简便、固定稳定、手术创伤小、时间短,椎间骨融合率相近,并因无需取自体髂骨和应用金属支架,消除了取髂骨及金属内固定物永久植入所引起的一些并发症。     

保留终板的颈椎融合器在颈椎前路手术中的应用

目的:探讨保留终板的颈椎融合器在颈椎前路手术中的应用价值。方法:对试验组22例颈椎病患者进行颈椎前路减压和保留颈椎终板融合器植入术。对照组26例颈椎病患者进行颈椎前路减压和单纯自体髂骨移植。术后随访X线,观察椎间隙高度的变化,比较神经功能恢复情况。结果:术后随访12～24个月,平均16个月,3个月后的X线检查,试验组手术节段椎间隙高度增加(1.1±0.9)mm,而对照组降低(1.0±0.8)mm(P<0.05),试验组和对照组所有患者X线全获骨性融合;术后神经功能均有明显改善。结论:保留终板的椎间融合器能够有效的恢复椎间隙高度,促进颈椎融合。     

Clinical long-term results of anterior discectomy without interbody fusion for cervical disc disease

There were 55 patients (soft disc, 21 and spondylosis, 34) who underwent anterior cervical discectomy without fusion (ACD) using an operating microscope. Discectomy of a single level was performed on 48 cases and two levels on 7. There were 37 patients with radiculopathy, and 18 patients with myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy who were followed clinically for 2-13 years postoperatively. Overall 81% of patients were improved in soft disc herniation, and no significant differences were noted between the group of radiculopathy and myelopathy. In spondylosis all but one patient reported initial relief of their preoperative symptoms; however, overall improvement was noted in only 16 patients (47%). The causes of symptomatic deterioration after ACD for spondylosis were later symptomatic recurrence in 5 patients, severe neck pain in 4, and development of new symptoms due to adjacent spur formation in 2. The authors eventually added interbody fusion in 4 cases. Cervical spine roentgenograms almost always showed a loss of height of the interspace and an anterior angulation immediately after ACD, but the alignment of the spine tended to improve with time, so that, at last follow-up, 82% had a good alignment. A spontaneous osseous fusion occurred in 74% of cases. An adjacent spur formation was observed in 3 patients with spondylosis. The most troublesome complication was neck and/or scapular pain. This pain usually subsided spontaneously, but this continued for more than 4 years postoperatively in 4 patients with spondylosis. Using an operating microscope ACD is a safe and effective procedure for patients with soft disc herniation, but the authors still prefer anterior cervical discectomy with interbody fusion for the patients with advanced spondylosis.     

Extruded cervical disc herniation: treatment with anterior microdiscectomy

Nine cases of extruded cervical disc herniation (7 with radiculopathy, 2 with acute myeloradiculopathy) were treated by radical anterior microdiscectomy, with opening of the posterior longitudinal ligament, removal of the extruded peridural disc material, bilateral resection of the posterior part of the uncovertebral joints; in 6 cases surgery was completed with Smith-Robinson intersomatic fusion. In all of the cases symptoms rapidly regressed, with considerable neurological recovery. There were no major complications in any of the cases, and 2-5 years after surgery results were evaluated as excellent in 7 cases and good in 2. The use of the operating microscope allows for removal of extruded disc herniations under magnification, in a bloodless surgical field and with no manipulation of the nervous structures. Because of these features, this method is preferred to traditional posterior surgery and anterior surgery without magnification.     

颈椎前路椎间融合术后邻近节段的病变研究

[目的]研究颈椎前路椎间融合术后症状性邻近节段病变的发生率以及预测其发生的因素。[方法]112例颈椎间盘突出症或颈椎病接受颈椎前路椎体问融合术患者，行术后症状的评价，神经学检查及系列放射学检查，分析症状性邻近节段病变的发生率与临床和影像学参数的关系。症状性邻近节段病变的发生率通过Kaplan-Meier生存分析法进行统计，各参数与症状性邻近节段病变的发生率之间的关系通过u检验和t检验分析。[结果]随访时间2—19a，平均9．4a。112例患者中有19例（17％）出现了症状性邻近节段病变，其中男12例，女7例。Kaplan-Meier生存分析法分析未出现症状邻近节段病变的患者比率，5a时比率为89％，10a时为84％，17a时为67％。出现症状性邻近节段病变的病例中，术前脊髓造影上邻近节段硬膜有明显压迹或MRI上邻近节段椎间盘突出的发生率明显高于未出现症状性邻近节段病变的病例（P分别为0．0087及0．0299，双样本t检验）。而其他参数没有显著性差异。7名患者因保守治疗无效而进行了手术。[结论]当术前脊髓造影或MRI显示该节段存在无症状性椎间盘退变时，颈椎前路椎体间植骨融合术后症状性邻近节段病变的发生率明显高，与融合的节段数、术前颈椎曲度、椎管的直径或融合节段的曲度都无关。     

Adjacent segment disease after anterior cervical interbody fusion

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: There have been many follow-up studies on anterior interbody fusion for cervical nerve root and spinal cord compression, and excellent neurological outcomes have been reported. However, postoperative degenerative changes at adjacent discs may lead to the development of new radiculopathy or myelopathy. In the previous reports, the incidence of symptomatic adjacent segment disease has ranged from 7% to 15%. PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of symptomatic adjacent segment disease after anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF) and to identify the factors that are related to the development of this disease. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This is a retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 112 patients were followed up clinically and radiologically for more than 2 years. OUTCOME MEASURES: Follow-up evaluation was primarily by means of clinical visits. The postoperative course of any symptoms, the findings of neurological examination and serial follow-up radiographs were performed in all patients. METHODS: The diagnosis of symptomatic adjacent segment disease was based on the presence of new radiculopathy or myelopathy symptoms referable to an adjacent level, and the presence of a compressive lesion at an adjacent level by magnetic resonance imaging or myelography. We evaluated the correlation between the incidence of symptomatic adjacent segment disease and the following clinical parameters (age at operation, sex, number of the levels fused) and radiological parameters (preoperative cervical spine alignment, preoperative range of motion of C2-C7 cervical spine, anteroposterior spinal canal diameter, preoperative existence of an adjacent segment degeneration on plain radiograph, myelography and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). RESULTS: Symptomatic adjacent segment disease developed in 19 of 112 patients (19%) followed. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed in order to follow the disease-free survival of the entire series of patients. The disease-free survival rates were 89% at 5 years, 84% at 10 years and 67% at 17 years. The incidences of indentation of dura matter on preoperative myelography or disc protrusion on MRI at the adjacent level were significantly higher in disease cases (p=.0087, .0299, respectively; chi-squared test). However, the other parameters did not show a statistically significant difference. There were seven cases (37%) who had failure of nonoperative treatment and additional operations were performed. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of symptomatic adjacent segment disease after ACIF was higher when preoperative myelography or MRI revealed asymptomatic disc degeneration at that level regardless of the number of the levels fused, preoperative alignment, spinal canal diameter or fusion alignment.     

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.