Complications in cervical total disc arthroplasty

Cervical total disc arthroplasty (CTDA) is an alternative to cervical fusion when addressing single level cervical disc disease and attempts to restore normal disc height and preserve motion, theoretically decreasing rates of adjacent segment disease (ASD) and symptomatic pseudoarthrosis. Although safe and effective, CTDA has a unique complication profile particularly in regard to long-term complications. Approach related complications are similar to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and include injury to surrounding vascular, digestive, and neurologic structures. To achieve anatomic positioning, CTDA requires vertebral endplate cartilage removal and osseous preparation which can lead to endplate fracture, salvage fusion, or component malpositioning. Long term complications include heterotopic ossification (HO), implant subsidence, ASD requiring surgical intervention, and implant migration or translation. Although HO reduces motion at the prosthesis site, it does not appear to worsen clinical outcomes in most cases. Evidence is still conflicting regarding ASD when comparing ACDF to CTDA, however, the most recent evidence suggests a lower rate of development with CTDA.     

人工颈椎间盘置换术的适应证与禁忌证

人工颈椎间盘置换术是目前治疗颈椎退行性疾病的有效方法,与传统颈前路植骨融合术相比,其主要优势在于术后恢复速度较快,并且较好的维持了颈椎正常活动,降低了相邻节段颈椎退行性变的发生率和手术翻修率。因此它得到了越来越多的医生和患者的关注与认可。但人工颈椎间盘置换术的手术适应证与禁忌证,目前尚无统一标准。本文就近年国内外相关文献,从手术适应证和禁忌证两个方面做一综述,为提高对手术指征的认识与把握提供参照。     

Footprint mismatch in total cervical disc arthroplasty

Purpose

Cervical disc arthroplasty has become a commonplace surgery for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. Most manufacturers derive their implant dimensions from early published cadaver studies. Ideal footprint match of the prosthesis is essential for good surgical outcome.

Methods

We measured the dimensions of cervical vertebrae from computed tomography (CT) scans and to assess the accuracy of match achieved with the most common cervical disc prostheses [Bryan (Medtronic), Prestige LP (Medtronic), Discover (DePuy) Prodisc-C (Synthes)]. A total of 192 endplates in 24 patients (56.3 years) were assessed. The anterior–posterior and mediolateral diameters of the superior and inferior endplates were measured with a digital measuring system.

Results

Overall, 53.5 % of the largest device footprints were smaller in the anterior–posterior diameter and 51.1 % in the mediolateral diameter were smaller than cervical endplate diameters. For levels C5/C6 and C6/C7 an inappropriate size match was noted in 61.9 % as calculated from the anteroposterior diameter. Mismatch at the center mediolateral diameter was noted in 56.8 %. Of the endplates in the current study up to 58.1 % of C5/C6 and C6/C7, and up to 45.3 % of C3/C4 and C4/C5 were larger than the most frequently implanted cervical disc devices.

Conclusion

Surgeons and manufacturers should be aware of the size mismatch in currently available cervical disc prostheses, which may endanger the safety and efficacy of the procedure. Undersizing the prosthetic device may lead to subsidence, loosening, heterotopic ossification and biomechanical failure caused by an incorrect center of rotation and load distribution, affecting the facet joints.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

Objective To analyze the failed Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty and to improve its re-sults. Methods From October 2004 to October 2007, 48 patients underwent Bryan cervical disc arthro-plasty. All patients were followed up 2 to 38 months(mean 18 months). Among them, 4 failed cases were an-alyzed, which include 1 male and 3 females, with the age of 42, 51, 40, 49 years. Results Case 1 reported the brachial plexus injury as the result of the patient's shoulders being overstretched while fixing his position during operation, the muscular power of both upper extremities declining to degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ upon operation completion, which was restored to degree 4 when discharged from hospital (45 days after operation). Case 2 reported the compression on the spinal cord as the result of failure to remove the ossification of posterior lon-gitudinal ligament (OPLL) which had been identified by the preoperative CT; the patient complained of no release of symptoms after the operation and postoperative CT showed that compression still existed. Case 3 reported incomplete spinal cord injury caused by massive bleeding during decompression, a function of ex-tremely small vertebral canal anteroposterior diameter (5 mm shown in preoperative MRI); the muscular pow-er of left extremity dropped to degree 0 upon operation completion; the patient could walk with crutch 10 days after operation. Case 4 reported'heterotopic ossification (OP) which occurred 1 year after operation and became deteriorated 2 years later, but did not affect the motion of prosthesis. Conclusion Bryan disc arthroplasty is being extensively used as an effective procedure for decompression and reconstruction of the cervical disc. Excellent clinical results are related to strict selection of indications, perioperative manage-ment, and the experience and surgical technique of the surgeon are also important to the final outcome.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

Objective To analyze the failed Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty and to improve its re-sults. Methods From October 2004 to October 2007, 48 patients underwent Bryan cervical disc arthro-plasty. All patients were followed up 2 to 38 months(mean 18 months). Among them, 4 failed cases were an-alyzed, which include 1 male and 3 females, with the age of 42, 51, 40, 49 years. Results Case 1 reported the brachial plexus injury as the result of the patient's shoulders being overstretched while fixing his position during operation, the muscular power of both upper extremities declining to degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ upon operation completion, which was restored to degree 4 when discharged from hospital (45 days after operation). Case 2 reported the compression on the spinal cord as the result of failure to remove the ossification of posterior lon-gitudinal ligament (OPLL) which had been identified by the preoperative CT; the patient complained of no release of symptoms after the operation and postoperative CT showed that compression still existed. Case 3 reported incomplete spinal cord injury caused by massive bleeding during decompression, a function of ex-tremely small vertebral canal anteroposterior diameter (5 mm shown in preoperative MRI); the muscular pow-er of left extremity dropped to degree 0 upon operation completion; the patient could walk with crutch 10 days after operation. Case 4 reported'heterotopic ossification (OP) which occurred 1 year after operation and became deteriorated 2 years later, but did not affect the motion of prosthesis. Conclusion Bryan disc arthroplasty is being extensively used as an effective procedure for decompression and reconstruction of the cervical disc. Excellent clinical results are related to strict selection of indications, perioperative manage-ment, and the experience and surgical technique of the surgeon are also important to the final outcome.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

Objective To analyze the failed Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty and to improve its re-sults. Methods From October 2004 to October 2007, 48 patients underwent Bryan cervical disc arthro-plasty. All patients were followed up 2 to 38 months(mean 18 months). Among them, 4 failed cases were an-alyzed, which include 1 male and 3 females, with the age of 42, 51, 40, 49 years. Results Case 1 reported the brachial plexus injury as the result of the patient's shoulders being overstretched while fixing his position during operation, the muscular power of both upper extremities declining to degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ upon operation completion, which was restored to degree 4 when discharged from hospital (45 days after operation). Case 2 reported the compression on the spinal cord as the result of failure to remove the ossification of posterior lon-gitudinal ligament (OPLL) which had been identified by the preoperative CT; the patient complained of no release of symptoms after the operation and postoperative CT showed that compression still existed. Case 3 reported incomplete spinal cord injury caused by massive bleeding during decompression, a function of ex-tremely small vertebral canal anteroposterior diameter (5 mm shown in preoperative MRI); the muscular pow-er of left extremity dropped to degree 0 upon operation completion; the patient could walk with crutch 10 days after operation. Case 4 reported'heterotopic ossification (OP) which occurred 1 year after operation and became deteriorated 2 years later, but did not affect the motion of prosthesis. Conclusion Bryan disc arthroplasty is being extensively used as an effective procedure for decompression and reconstruction of the cervical disc. Excellent clinical results are related to strict selection of indications, perioperative manage-ment, and the experience and surgical technique of the surgeon are also important to the final outcome.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

Objective To analyze the failed Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty and to improve its re-sults. Methods From October 2004 to October 2007, 48 patients underwent Bryan cervical disc arthro-plasty. All patients were followed up 2 to 38 months(mean 18 months). Among them, 4 failed cases were an-alyzed, which include 1 male and 3 females, with the age of 42, 51, 40, 49 years. Results Case 1 reported the brachial plexus injury as the result of the patient's shoulders being overstretched while fixing his position during operation, the muscular power of both upper extremities declining to degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ upon operation completion, which was restored to degree 4 when discharged from hospital (45 days after operation). Case 2 reported the compression on the spinal cord as the result of failure to remove the ossification of posterior lon-gitudinal ligament (OPLL) which had been identified by the preoperative CT; the patient complained of no release of symptoms after the operation and postoperative CT showed that compression still existed. Case 3 reported incomplete spinal cord injury caused by massive bleeding during decompression, a function of ex-tremely small vertebral canal anteroposterior diameter (5 mm shown in preoperative MRI); the muscular pow-er of left extremity dropped to degree 0 upon operation completion; the patient could walk with crutch 10 days after operation. Case 4 reported'heterotopic ossification (OP) which occurred 1 year after operation and became deteriorated 2 years later, but did not affect the motion of prosthesis. Conclusion Bryan disc arthroplasty is being extensively used as an effective procedure for decompression and reconstruction of the cervical disc. Excellent clinical results are related to strict selection of indications, perioperative manage-ment, and the experience and surgical technique of the surgeon are also important to the final outcome.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

目的 对Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术治疗颈椎病的失败原因进行分析.方法 2004年10月至2007年10月,采用Bryan颈人工椎间盘对48例颈椎病患者的56个椎间盘进行治疗,其中单节段40例,双节段8例.术后随访2～38个月,平均18个月.手术失败4例,男1例,女3例;年龄分别为42、51、40、49岁.患者均为经6周的保守治疗无效后行Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换.结果 1例全麻后在用胶带固定患者体位的过程中造成对臂丛的过度牵拉,术后双上肢肌力下降到2～3级.1例术前CT及MRI显示C4～C6水平后纵韧带骨化,其中C4,5节段骨桥形成,向后方压迫脊髓;手术切除部分骨化后纵韧带,使之漂浮;术后患者症状无改善,并出现锥体束征阳性,复查CT及MRI示存在骨化后纵韧带压迫脊髓.1例术前MRI显示C4-5椎间盘突出,椎管前后径约为5 mm,C4,5水平脊髓变性;术中向外侧减压时致椎管内静脉破裂,出血影响术野;术后左侧肢体肌力下降至0级.1例术后1年发现假体后方异位骨化,但不影响关节活动.结论 臂丛损伤、减压不彻底、术中椎管内静脉出血和异位骨化可能是引起颈椎人工椎间盘置换术失败的主要原因.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

Objective To analyze the failed Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty and to improve its re-sults. Methods From October 2004 to October 2007, 48 patients underwent Bryan cervical disc arthro-plasty. All patients were followed up 2 to 38 months(mean 18 months). Among them, 4 failed cases were an-alyzed, which include 1 male and 3 females, with the age of 42, 51, 40, 49 years. Results Case 1 reported the brachial plexus injury as the result of the patient's shoulders being overstretched while fixing his position during operation, the muscular power of both upper extremities declining to degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ upon operation completion, which was restored to degree 4 when discharged from hospital (45 days after operation). Case 2 reported the compression on the spinal cord as the result of failure to remove the ossification of posterior lon-gitudinal ligament (OPLL) which had been identified by the preoperative CT; the patient complained of no release of symptoms after the operation and postoperative CT showed that compression still existed. Case 3 reported incomplete spinal cord injury caused by massive bleeding during decompression, a function of ex-tremely small vertebral canal anteroposterior diameter (5 mm shown in preoperative MRI); the muscular pow-er of left extremity dropped to degree 0 upon operation completion; the patient could walk with crutch 10 days after operation. Case 4 reported'heterotopic ossification (OP) which occurred 1 year after operation and became deteriorated 2 years later, but did not affect the motion of prosthesis. Conclusion Bryan disc arthroplasty is being extensively used as an effective procedure for decompression and reconstruction of the cervical disc. Excellent clinical results are related to strict selection of indications, perioperative manage-ment, and the experience and surgical technique of the surgeon are also important to the final outcome.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

Objective To analyze the failed Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty and to improve its re-sults. Methods From October 2004 to October 2007, 48 patients underwent Bryan cervical disc arthro-plasty. All patients were followed up 2 to 38 months(mean 18 months). Among them, 4 failed cases were an-alyzed, which include 1 male and 3 females, with the age of 42, 51, 40, 49 years. Results Case 1 reported the brachial plexus injury as the result of the patient's shoulders being overstretched while fixing his position during operation, the muscular power of both upper extremities declining to degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ upon operation completion, which was restored to degree 4 when discharged from hospital (45 days after operation). Case 2 reported the compression on the spinal cord as the result of failure to remove the ossification of posterior lon-gitudinal ligament (OPLL) which had been identified by the preoperative CT; the patient complained of no release of symptoms after the operation and postoperative CT showed that compression still existed. Case 3 reported incomplete spinal cord injury caused by massive bleeding during decompression, a function of ex-tremely small vertebral canal anteroposterior diameter (5 mm shown in preoperative MRI); the muscular pow-er of left extremity dropped to degree 0 upon operation completion; the patient could walk with crutch 10 days after operation. Case 4 reported'heterotopic ossification (OP) which occurred 1 year after operation and became deteriorated 2 years later, but did not affect the motion of prosthesis. Conclusion Bryan disc arthroplasty is being extensively used as an effective procedure for decompression and reconstruction of the cervical disc. Excellent clinical results are related to strict selection of indications, perioperative manage-ment, and the experience and surgical technique of the surgeon are also important to the final outcome.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

Objective To analyze the failed Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty and to improve its re-sults. Methods From October 2004 to October 2007, 48 patients underwent Bryan cervical disc arthro-plasty. All patients were followed up 2 to 38 months(mean 18 months). Among them, 4 failed cases were an-alyzed, which include 1 male and 3 females, with the age of 42, 51, 40, 49 years. Results Case 1 reported the brachial plexus injury as the result of the patient's shoulders being overstretched while fixing his position during operation, the muscular power of both upper extremities declining to degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ upon operation completion, which was restored to degree 4 when discharged from hospital (45 days after operation). Case 2 reported the compression on the spinal cord as the result of failure to remove the ossification of posterior lon-gitudinal ligament (OPLL) which had been identified by the preoperative CT; the patient complained of no release of symptoms after the operation and postoperative CT showed that compression still existed. Case 3 reported incomplete spinal cord injury caused by massive bleeding during decompression, a function of ex-tremely small vertebral canal anteroposterior diameter (5 mm shown in preoperative MRI); the muscular pow-er of left extremity dropped to degree 0 upon operation completion; the patient could walk with crutch 10 days after operation. Case 4 reported'heterotopic ossification (OP) which occurred 1 year after operation and became deteriorated 2 years later, but did not affect the motion of prosthesis. Conclusion Bryan disc arthroplasty is being extensively used as an effective procedure for decompression and reconstruction of the cervical disc. Excellent clinical results are related to strict selection of indications, perioperative manage-ment, and the experience and surgical technique of the surgeon are also important to the final outcome.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

Objective To analyze the failed Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty and to improve its re-sults. Methods From October 2004 to October 2007, 48 patients underwent Bryan cervical disc arthro-plasty. All patients were followed up 2 to 38 months(mean 18 months). Among them, 4 failed cases were an-alyzed, which include 1 male and 3 females, with the age of 42, 51, 40, 49 years. Results Case 1 reported the brachial plexus injury as the result of the patient's shoulders being overstretched while fixing his position during operation, the muscular power of both upper extremities declining to degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ upon operation completion, which was restored to degree 4 when discharged from hospital (45 days after operation). Case 2 reported the compression on the spinal cord as the result of failure to remove the ossification of posterior lon-gitudinal ligament (OPLL) which had been identified by the preoperative CT; the patient complained of no release of symptoms after the operation and postoperative CT showed that compression still existed. Case 3 reported incomplete spinal cord injury caused by massive bleeding during decompression, a function of ex-tremely small vertebral canal anteroposterior diameter (5 mm shown in preoperative MRI); the muscular pow-er of left extremity dropped to degree 0 upon operation completion; the patient could walk with crutch 10 days after operation. Case 4 reported'heterotopic ossification (OP) which occurred 1 year after operation and became deteriorated 2 years later, but did not affect the motion of prosthesis. Conclusion Bryan disc arthroplasty is being extensively used as an effective procedure for decompression and reconstruction of the cervical disc. Excellent clinical results are related to strict selection of indications, perioperative manage-ment, and the experience and surgical technique of the surgeon are also important to the final outcome.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

Objective To analyze the failed Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty and to improve its re-sults. Methods From October 2004 to October 2007, 48 patients underwent Bryan cervical disc arthro-plasty. All patients were followed up 2 to 38 months(mean 18 months). Among them, 4 failed cases were an-alyzed, which include 1 male and 3 females, with the age of 42, 51, 40, 49 years. Results Case 1 reported the brachial plexus injury as the result of the patient's shoulders being overstretched while fixing his position during operation, the muscular power of both upper extremities declining to degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ upon operation completion, which was restored to degree 4 when discharged from hospital (45 days after operation). Case 2 reported the compression on the spinal cord as the result of failure to remove the ossification of posterior lon-gitudinal ligament (OPLL) which had been identified by the preoperative CT; the patient complained of no release of symptoms after the operation and postoperative CT showed that compression still existed. Case 3 reported incomplete spinal cord injury caused by massive bleeding during decompression, a function of ex-tremely small vertebral canal anteroposterior diameter (5 mm shown in preoperative MRI); the muscular pow-er of left extremity dropped to degree 0 upon operation completion; the patient could walk with crutch 10 days after operation. Case 4 reported'heterotopic ossification (OP) which occurred 1 year after operation and became deteriorated 2 years later, but did not affect the motion of prosthesis. Conclusion Bryan disc arthroplasty is being extensively used as an effective procedure for decompression and reconstruction of the cervical disc. Excellent clinical results are related to strict selection of indications, perioperative manage-ment, and the experience and surgical technique of the surgeon are also important to the final outcome.     

Bryan颈人工椎间盘置换术失败原因分析

Objective To analyze the failed Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty and to improve its re-sults. Methods From October 2004 to October 2007, 48 patients underwent Bryan cervical disc arthro-plasty. All patients were followed up 2 to 38 months(mean 18 months). Among them, 4 failed cases were an-alyzed, which include 1 male and 3 females, with the age of 42, 51, 40, 49 years. Results Case 1 reported the brachial plexus injury as the result of the patient's shoulders being overstretched while fixing his position during operation, the muscular power of both upper extremities declining to degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ upon operation completion, which was restored to degree 4 when discharged from hospital (45 days after operation). Case 2 reported the compression on the spinal cord as the result of failure to remove the ossification of posterior lon-gitudinal ligament (OPLL) which had been identified by the preoperative CT; the patient complained of no release of symptoms after the operation and postoperative CT showed that compression still existed. Case 3 reported incomplete spinal cord injury caused by massive bleeding during decompression, a function of ex-tremely small vertebral canal anteroposterior diameter (5 mm shown in preoperative MRI); the muscular pow-er of left extremity dropped to degree 0 upon operation completion; the patient could walk with crutch 10 days after operation. Case 4 reported'heterotopic ossification (OP) which occurred 1 year after operation and became deteriorated 2 years later, but did not affect the motion of prosthesis. Conclusion Bryan disc arthroplasty is being extensively used as an effective procedure for decompression and reconstruction of the cervical disc. Excellent clinical results are related to strict selection of indications, perioperative manage-ment, and the experience and surgical technique of the surgeon are also important to the final outcome.     

人工颈椎间盘置换治疗颈椎间盘突出症

[目的]探讨Bryan人工颈椎间盘假体置换治疗颈椎间盘突出症的临床效果。[方法]本组14例颈椎间盘突出症患者，男10例，女4例；年龄31～52岁，平均43岁。C3、4例，C4、5，2例，C5、68例，C4、61例，C3-61例。单节段置换12例，双节段置换2例，共置换16个椎间盘假体。Bryan假体由金属外壳和聚氨酯髓核组成，外壳有钛微孔喷涂层。术后摄颈椎动态X线片观察假体稳定性及活动度。[结果]术后随访最长28个月，平均10个月。全部患者神经功能均有明显改善，CSM40分法评分平均提高8．5分，有效率为100％，无假体松动和脱落，术后置换节段活动度平均为6．4。。[结论]人工颈椎间盘假体置换具有确切的稳定性和相应的活动度，是治疗颈椎间盘突出症的可选择方式之一。早期临床效果良好，远期效果有待于进一步观察。     

Differences between arthroplasty and anterior cervical fusion in two-level cervical degenerative disc disease

Purpose

Although arthroplasty is an accepted option for two-level disease, there is a paucity of data regarding outcomes of two-level cervical arthroplasty. The current study was designed to determine differences between two-level cervical arthroplasty and anterior fusion.

Methods

Seventy-seven consecutive patients who underwent two-level anterior cervical operations for degenerative disc disease were divided into the arthroplasty (37 patients) and fusion (40 patients) groups. Clinical outcomes were measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of neck and arm pain, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Every patient was evaluated by radiography and computed tomography for fusion or detection of heterotopic ossification.

Results

Thirty-seven patients (with 74 levels of Bryan discs) were compared with 40 patients who had two-level anterior fusion (mean follow-up of 39.6 ± 6.7 months). There was no difference in sex, but the mean age of the arthroplasty group was significantly younger (52.1 ± 9.1 vs. 63.0 ± 10.6 years, p < 0.001). The mean estimated blood loss was similar (p = 0.135), but the mean operation time was longer in the arthroplasty group (315.5 ± 82.0 versus 224.9 ± 61.8 min, p < 0.001). At 24 months post-operation, the arthroplasty group had increased their range of motion than pre-operation (23.5° versus 20.1°, p = 0.018). There were significant improvements in neck or arm VAS, JOA scores, and NDI in both groups. However, there were no differences in clinical outcomes or adverse events between the two groups.

Conclusions

Clinical outcomes of two-level arthroplasty and anterior cervical fusion are similar 39.6 months after surgery. Cervical arthroplasty preserves mobility at the index levels without increased adverse effects.