零切迹颈椎前路融合固定系统与传统融合器钢板内固定系统治疗单节段颈椎间盘突出症的病例对照研究

目的 :比较零切迹颈前路椎间融合固定系统(Zero-p)与传统钛板联合cage融合内固定术治疗单节段颈椎间盘突出症的临床疗效。方法:对2011年8月至2014年3月接受颈前路椎间盘切除植骨融合内固定术的139例单节段颈椎间盘突出症患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,根据已采取的不同术式分为A,B两组,其中A组63例,行前路椎间盘切除与Zero-P融合内固定;B组76例,行前路椎间盘切除椎间cage融合与钢板内固定。分别于手术前后对患者进行JOA评分、Odom功能评级;采用电视透视吞咽研究(videofluorographic swallowing study,VFSS)评估患者椎前软组织厚度;采用Bazaz吞咽困难分级评估患者术后吞咽困难的发生率。术后12个月时采用颈椎正侧位X线及CT检查评估植骨融合情况,采用MRI检查评估临近节段退变情况。比较两组患者术中出血量、手术时间、手术前后JOA评分、Odom评级及VFSS中的椎前软组织厚度、术后患者吞咽困难发生率(Bazas评分)、椎体间融合率、邻近节段退变发生率。结果:手术前后两组患者的JOA评分、Odom功能评级差异比较无统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者术前VFSS中的椎前软组织厚度比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者手术时间及术中出血量比较差异无统计学意义。两组患者VFSS中的椎前软组织厚度、吞咽困难发生率在术后第2天,术后3、6个月及末次随访时差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。术后1年所有患者获植骨融合,两组融合率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。A组8例(12.7%)出现邻近节段退变,B组19例(25%)出现临近节段退变,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:应用零切迹颈椎前路椎间融合固定系统和传统钛板联合cage融合内固定治疗单节段颈椎间盘突出症均可取得满意疗效,前者术后吞咽困难和临近节段退变发生率较低,中长期疗效有待进一步观察。     

Swallowing and speech dysfunction in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a prospective,objective preoperative and postoperative assessment

Swallowing difficulties and dysphonia may occur in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The etiology and incidence of these abnormalities, however, are not well defined. In view of this, we performed a prospective, objective analysis of swallowing function and vocal cord approximation in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Twenty-three consecutive patients (22 male and one female, mean age 59 years) undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion had standardized modified barium swallow study and videolaryngoendoscopy performed preoperatively and again at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. Eleven patients (48%) had radiographic evidence of preoperative swallowing abnormalities. The majority of these patients had myelopathic rather than radicular findings (p = 0.03). None, however, had symptoms of swallowing dysfunction. Among these patients, one had worse function postoperatively, three had improvement, and function remained unchanged in seven. The preoperative swallowing assessment was normal in 12 patients (52%). Postoperative radiographic swallowing abnormalities were demonstrated in eight of these patients (67%). Preoperative vocal cord movement was normal in all patients. Postoperatively, vocal cord paresis was detected in two patients. The paresis was transient in one and permanent in the other. Age, previous medical history, operation duration, and spinal level decompressed were not significantly associated with the incidence of swallowing dysfunction. There was, however, a tendency for patients undergoing multilevel surgery to demonstrate an increased incidence of swallowing abnormalities on postoperative radiographic studies. In addition, soft tissue swelling was more frequent in patients whose swallowing function was worse postoperatively (p = 0.007). Postoperative voice and swallowing dysfunction are common complications of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, although in the majority of patients these abnormalities are not symptomatic. Patients undergoing multilevel procedures are at an increased risk for these complications, in part because of soft tissue swelling in the neck.     

Risk factors for dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery: a two-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Severe and disabling dysphagia is a relatively uncommon complication of anterior cervical spine surgery. However, the incidence of dysphagia ranges widely (2% to 60%). Furthermore, risk factors that contribute to the development of dysphagia have not been well identified. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery, and to identify any risk factors associated with increased dysphagia. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a prospective cohort study designed to evaluate the prevalence of dysphagia at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 months. Patients were prospectively interviewed at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 months regarding the presence and subjective severity of dysphagia. PATIENT SAMPLE: Between the period of 1999 and 2002, 348 cervical spine surgeries were performed using the anterior Smith Robinson approach. 310 of these patients were available for 2-year follow-up. OUTCOMES MEASURE: Using the dysphagia grading system defined by Bazaz et al. (Spine 2002), we prospectively evaluated patients' postoperative dysphagia. METHODS: The presence and severity of dysphagia were reported during the telephone interviews performed at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 months after the procedure. Proportion analysis (chi-square or a Fisher Exact Test), prevalence ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were used to compare the prevalence of dysphagia with age, gender, type of surgery (eg, discectomy vs. corpectomy, primary vs. revision), use of instrumentation, number and location of surgical levels. RESULTS: The overall prevalences for dysphagia at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 months were 54.0%, 33.6%, 18.6%, 15.2%, and 13.6%. The prevalence of dysphagia was found to be significantly higher in women (18.3%) than men (9.9%) 2 years after the surgery. Revision surgery patients (27.7%) also had a significantly higher prevalence of dysphagia than primary surgery (11.3%) patients 2 years after the surgery. Patients who underwent more than two-level surgery (19.3%) also had significantly higher rates of dysphagia 2 years after their procedures than patients who had two or less levels (9.7%) operated on. CONCLUSION: Overall the incidence of dysphagia 2 years after anterior cervical spine surgery was 13.6%. Risk factors for long-term dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery include gender, revision surgeries, and multilevel surgeries. The use of instrumentation, higher levels, or corpectomy versus discectomy did not significantly increase the prevalence of dysphagia.     

颈椎前路手术后吞咽困难的原因分析

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

Anterior cervical discectomy for one- and two-level cervical disc disease: the controversy surrounding the question of whether to fuse,plate, or both

Since the introduction of anterior approaches to the cervical spine for the surgical treatment of degenerative disc disease, controversies have developed regarding the necessity of fusion following anterior cervical discectomy, the use of allografts instead of autologous bone for fusion, and, recently, the employment of anterior cervical plating systems in addition to fusion for uncomplicated disc disease. We reviewed seven clinical papers dealing with these issues; these articles surveyed a total of 1153 patients. Several observations can be made from these reviews. First, there is little or no difference in clinical outcome following single-level anterior discectomy, whether a fusion is performed or not, regardless of whether the operation was for soft discs or osteophytes. Second, most patients who underwent two-level discectomies had outcomes comparable to patients who underwent surgery at one level, regardless of whether they were fused or not. Data from four prospective randomized clinical studies in addition to multiple non-randomized or retrospective studies support these conclusions. Although the incidence of complications such as persistent postoperative posterior cervical and shoulder pain and kyphotic deformities is higher in unfused patients (and is quite significant in some series), the advantages conferred by interbody fusion such as biomechanical stability, decreased incidence of kyphotic deformity, and decreased pain are offset by graft and donor-site morbidity. Specific indications for fusion include multi-level discectomies, significant straightening of the cervical spine, failed prior fusions, and trauma. It has been demonstrated that comparable fusion rates can be achieved with allografts rather than harvested autologous bone. The advantages of autografts over allografts are relatively slight in most patients who undergo anterior fusion for one- or two-level disc disease, although patients with impaired healing, significant osteopenia, or concomitant microvascular disease, such as chronic smokers, may benefit from autologous bone. The use of allografts avoids donor-site morbidity in patients without these problems. Anterior cervical plates are useful for cases of instability requiring fusion (such as trauma); these implants may decrease reoperation rates and the incidence of delayed instability in select cases. However, the cost-effectiveness of their generalized use for uncomplicated cervical disc disease has not been demonstrated. In conclusion, a general statement regarding the optimal surgical treatment for cervical disc herniations using anterior approaches is difficult to make with this limited review. Surgeons' experience and familiarity with a particular approach are probably the most important factors in ensuring successful outcomes.     

Surgical treatment of dysphagia after anterior cervical interbody fusion.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Dysphagia is a frequent complication after anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF). Although dysphagia usually improves over 6 months, it remains a significant and persistent problem for some patients. The etiology is poorly understood but has been reported to be associated with vocal cord paralysis, dislodgement of instrumentation and unidentified causes, such as hematoma, adhesion formation and denervation of the pharyngeal plexus. A surgical treatment of dysphagia after ACIF has not been reported. PURPOSE: We report the surgical treatment of persistent dysphagia occurring after ACIF with instrumentation. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A retrospective review of cervical discectomy and interbody fusion patients identified a subset of patients with symptomatic dysphagia who chose surgical treatment of the dysphagia. The hypothesis is that removal of the anterior cervical plate will release mechanical adhesions of the esophagus to the anterior spine around the plate. Outcome was graded by examination and a final telephonic interview with a dysphagia questionnaire. METHODS: Thirty-one patients who elected surgical treatment for persistent dysphagia were assessed at clinic visits after surgery at 3, 6 and 12 months for symptomatic dysphagia, and with a final telephonic questionnaire. The average time from initial surgery to time of surgical treatment for dysphagia was 18 months. Final follow-up was an average 11 months (range, 6 to 25 months) with a dysphagia questionnaire using the Bazaz-Yoo dysphagia score. Thirty-one patients responded to a phone questionnaire with the Bazaz-Yoo dysphagia score. RESULTS: The primary operative finding was extensive adhesions attaching the esophagus to the prevertebral fascia and anterior cervical spine around the periphery of the cervical plate. Seventeen patients (55%) were significantly improved to no dysphagia of solids and liquids (p < or = .0001). Ten patients (32%) reported mild dysphagia occasionally with specific foods. Three patients had persistent moderate occasional dysphagia with solid food. Two patients had persistent severe dysphagia of solids and liquids. Previous cervical surgery, particularly with pre-existing dysphagia, and unexpectedly extreme amounts of adhesions at surgery were contributing factors to the cases with persistent severe dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of dysphagia after ACIF has not been reported. Removal of the cervical instrumentation in patients will improve the dysphagia. This improvement with surgical management, as compared with the dissatisfaction before surgical treatment, documents that this surgical treatment is a reasonable option.     

颈前路多节段融合术后吞咽困难的原因分析

目的 比较多节段颈前路椎间盘切除减压融合术中采用传统钢板+cage和“零切迹”颈椎椎间融合器植入患者术后吞咽困难的发生情况,并分析其原因.方法 2008年9月至2011年9月,接受颈前路椎间盘切除减压+前路钢板+cage植入的118例多节段颈椎病患者为钢板cage组,接受颈前路椎间盘切除减压+Zero-p颈椎椎间融合器植入的108例患者为Zero-p组.分别于术前、术后第2天、术后3、6、12个月及末次随访时采用日本矫形外科学会评分法(Japan orthopedic association,JOA)对患者的神经功能情况进行评估;摄颈椎X片评价植骨融合程度、内固定相关并发症及椎前软组织肿胀程度;采用Bazaz吞咽困难分级及改良吞咽生活质量量表(swallowing-quality of life,SWAL-QOL)评估患者吞咽困难的发生率及相关症状发生情况.结果 随访时间平均为2.4年(1.0～3.5年).术后第2天钢板cage组发生吞咽困难49例(41.53％)明显高于Zero-p组(36例,33.33％);钢板cage组术后第2天及术后2个月椎前软组织厚度明显大于Zero-p组.术后第2天Zero-p组中手术范围为C3～C6的患者吞咽困难发生率(43.1％)明显高于手术范围为C4～C7的患者(22％).结论 颈前路多节段融合术后吞咽困难不可避免,内固定的选择和手术范围是术后吞咽困难发生的重要影响因素.使用颈椎“零切迹”植入物可以减少术后吞咽困难的发生率,手术节段越高术后吞咽困难的发生率越高.     

Three- and four-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with plate fixation: a prospective study

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of 15 patients who underwent modified Smith-Robinson anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at three or four operative levels stabilized with an unicortical anterior plate. OBJECTIVES: To provide medium-term follow-up data on the surgical success and patient outcome of three- and four-level anterior cervical discectomies and fusions and to determine the effect that plate fixation has on the results. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The success of arthrodesis for anterior cervical fusion depends on several factors, including the number of surgical levels. The arthrodesis rate and outcome for patients having three- and four-level discectomy and fusion procedures is disappointing. Internal fixation putatively improves these parameters. METHODS: Fifteen patients (average age, 51 years; range, 35-77), were observed for an average of 42 months (range, 25-73) All had an anterior discectomy, burring of the endplates, placement of an autogenous tricortical iliac crest graft at three (12 patients) or four (3 patients) levels, and application of a Cervical Spine Locking Plate. All patients had follow-up office visits with examinations and radiographs. Radiographic union, postoperative pain relief, and neurologic recovery were evaluated. RESULTS: Solid arthrodesis was achieved at all levels in only 7 (47%) of the 15 patients after a single procedure. Of the 8 patients with pseudarthrosis, 3 had sufficient pain to necessitate revision surgery (with pain relief in two), 1 had pain without further surgery, and 4 no pain. Of the 7 with solid fusion, 3 had persistent pain, and 4 had none. Two in this group had a second procedure. All 4 patients with preoperative myelopathy improved, and 10 of the 11 with radiculopathy had resolution of arm symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Three- and four-level modified Robinson cervical discectomy and fusion results in an unacceptably high rate of pseudarthrosis. The Cervical Spine Locking Plate alone does not appear to improve the arthrodesis rate.     

Clinical adjacent-segment pathology after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: results after a minimum of 10-year follow-up

Background context

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using cervical plates has been seen as effective at relieving cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy symptoms. Although it is commonly used, subsequent disc degeneration at levels adjacent to the fusion remains an important problem. However, data on the frequency, impact, and predisposing factors for this pathology are still rare.

Purpose

To evaluate the incidence, predisposing factors, and impact of radiographic and clinical adjacent-segment pathologies after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using cervical plates and to analyze the efficacy of this surgical method over the long term, after a minimum follow-up period of 10 years.

Study design

Retrospective clinical study.

Patient sample

Our study was a retrospective analysis of 177 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using cervical plates, with follow-up periods of at least 10 years (mean 16.2 years).

Outcome measures

Radiographic adjacent-segment pathology using plain radiographs and clinical adjacent-segment pathology after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using cervical plates.

Methods

We defined a new grading system of plain radiographic evidence of degenerative changes in adjacent discs after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using cervical plates; Grade 0 is considered normal, and Grade V consists the presence of posterior osteophytes and a decrease in disc height to less than 50% of normal. The incidence, predisposing factors, and impact of radiographic and clinical adjacent-segment pathologies were analyzed according to etiologies, number of fused segments, and plate-to-disc distance.

Results

Radiographic and clinical adjacent-segment pathologies were found in 92.1% and 19.2%, respectively, of patients. By etiology, clinical adjacent-segment pathology was observed in 13.5% of patients who had sustained trauma, 12.7% of those with disc herniation, and 33.3% of those with spondylosis. By number of fused segments, clinical adjacent-segment pathology was found in 13.2% of patients who underwent single-level fusion and in 32.1% of those who underwent multilevel fusion surgeries. Patients with a plate-to-disc distance of less than 5 mm, who had spondylosis, or who underwent multilevel fusion had a higher incidence of clinical adjacent-segment pathology after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using cervical plates than other groups did (p<.05). Of all patients, only 6.8% needed follow-up surgery.

Conclusions

We found that over the long term, at a minimum follow-up point of 10 years, a plate-to-disc distance of less than 5 mm, having spondylosis, and undergoing multilevel fusion were predisposing factors for the occurrence of clinical adjacent-segment pathology. Nevertheless, the incidence of clinical findings of adjacent-segment pathology was much lower than the incidence of radiographic findings. Also, the rate of follow-up surgery was low. Therefore, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using cervical plates can be considered a safe and effective procedure.     

Analysis of swallowing function after anterior/posterior surgery for cervical degenerative disorders and factors related to the occurrence of postoperative dysphagia

BACKGROUND CONTEXTDysphagia is one of the postoperative complications of cervical degenerative disorders. However, few studies have evaluated the pre- and postoperative swallowing function in detail.PURPOSETo analyze pre- and postoperative swallowing dynamics kinetically and investigate factors associated with postoperative dysphagia in patients with cervical degenerative disorders.STUDY DESIGNRetrospective review of prospectively collected data.PATIENT SAMPLEA total of 41 consecutive patients who underwent an anterior approach (anterior cervical discectomy/corpectomy and fusion (ACDF, ACCF), hybrid surgery (ACDF+ACCF) and total disc replacement) and 44 consecutive patients who underwent a posterior approach (laminoplasty and laminoplasty/laminectomy with fusion).OUTCOME MEASURESWe compared the pre- and postoperative functional oral intake scale (FOIS), dysphagia severity scale (DSS), esophageal dysphagia, anterior/superior hyoid movement, upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening, pharyngeal transit time, bolus residue scale (BRS), and the number of swallows.METHODSVideofluoroscopy was performed on the day before surgery and within two weeks after surgery. Data related to age, gender, disease, surgical procedure, surgical site, operative time, and blood loss were collected from the medical records. Pre- and postoperative data were compared for each item in the anterior and posterior approaches. The odds ratio of dysphagia after an anterior approach was also calculated.RESULTSIn the anterior approach, DSS, FOIS, the anterior and superior hyoid movements, maximum UES opening, BRS, and number of swallows worsened postoperatively (p<.05, respectively). In the posterior approach, DSS, FOIS, the anterior hyoid movement, and BRS worsened postoperatively (p<.05, respectively). The factors associated with dysphagia were a proximal surgical site above C3 (OR: 14.40, CI: 2.84−73.02), blood loss >100 mL (OR: 9.60, CI: 2.06−44.74), an operative time >200 minutes (OR: 8.18, CI: 1.51−44.49), and an extensive surgical field of more than three intervertebral levels (OR: 6.72, CI: 1.50−30.07). The decline in swallowing function after the posterior approach was related to aging (p=.045).CONCLUSIONSEach approach may decrease swallowing function, especially because of the limitation on the anterior hyoid movement. Dysphagia after anterior approaches was associated with the operative site, operative time, and blood loss.     

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

A retrospective review of 94 patients who had undergone anterior cervical discectomy and fusion was performed to analyze the result in patients who had a diagnosis of posterolateral spondylosis, disc herniation, or both. Although in 23 of 94 patients additional adjacent asymptomatic levels of spondylosis were noted, only the symptomatic levels were addressed in the 94 cases. Postoperatively two cases of dysphagia were noted, as well as a 4% pseudarthrosis rate. There was an 88% good or excellent result when no additional spondylosis was present, but only a 60% good or excellent result when just the symptomatic levels were addressed, leaving unoperated adjacent levels of spondylosis.     

Anterior cervical discectomy without interbody fusion

BACKGROUND: The use of an interbody bone graft during anterior cervical discectomy remains a controversial topic. This study presents the outcome of 64 consecutive patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy without an interbody fusion. METHODS: Sixty-four consecutive patients underwent anterior cervical discectomy without interbody fusion by one surgeon at Indiana University School of Medicine between April 1994 and February 1998. A retrospective analysis of these cases was performed to evaluate outcome of this procedure. Outcome was determined using the criteria of Odom and Finney. RESULTS: In our series of patients, the mean age was 49.4 years, and the mean time of follow-up was 8.5 months. The presentation was as follows: 69% radiculopathy alone, 23% combined myelopathy and radiculopathy, and 8% myelopathy. Although 31% of the patients had symptoms for more than 1 year, the mean duration of symptoms of the remainder of patients was 3.2 months. The majority of patients had single-level disease (77%); however, 25% underwent 2 level discectomies, and 2% underwent 3 level discectomies. Twenty-four patients (38%) had soft disc herniation, and 40 patients (62%) had hard disc herniation. Of the 64 patients, 91% had either good or excellent outcomes, 9% had satisfactory outcomes, and none had a poor result. Ninety-six percent of the patients with soft disc herniation had good or excellent outcomes, whereas 88% of the patients with hard disc had good or excellent outcomes (p = 0.217). Ninety-one percent of the patients who worked before surgery returned to work after their operation. None of the patients required reoperation at the operative level or exhibited instability at the operative level. Postoperative complications included transient intrascapular pain (13%), kyphotic deformity (3%), transient vocal cord paralysis (2%), and temporary dysphagia (2%). No significant difference in age or outcome existed when comparing males to females. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory results can be attained by discectomy without an interbody fusion in the surgical management of cervical disc disease.     

系统综述颈椎间盘置换与椎间融合的临床疗效

[目的]系统评价多节段颈椎间盘置换术与颈椎前路减压椎间融合术(anterior cervical discectomy and fusion,ACDF)临床疗效的比较。[方法]检索Pubmed、Medline、EBSC0、Springer、Ovid、CNKI、Cochrane Library、外文医学期刊全文数据库(foreign journals integrations system)等数据库。收集1995～2010年发表的关于椎间盘置换与椎间融合临床疗效的随机对照试验(RCT),按Cochrane系统评价的方法评价纳入研究的质量和提取资料,并采用RevMan软件进行统计分析。术后疗效评价包括颈部功能残障指数(neck disability index,NDI),视觉模拟评分法(visual analogscale,VAS)及相应节段运动范围(range of motion,ROM)等常见指标。[结果]共8篇文献符合纳入标准,包括1734例患者;术后2年和4年NDI合并权重均差(weighted mean difference,WMD)分别为-7.82,(95%CI,-8.73～-6.91),(P<0.0...     

Zero-P用于颈椎前路手术的早期临床疗效分析

目的探讨Zero—P内固定系统用于颈椎前路手术的早期临床疗效。方法2010年9月-2011年6月采用Zero-P内固定系统治疗颈椎椎间盘突出症患者2I例,其中男13例,女8例。本组中有2例行双节段Zero—P内固定术。记录视觉模拟量表（visualanalogscale,VAS）评分（10分法）,日本骨科学会（JapaneseOrthopaedicAssociation,JOA）评分（17分法）及吞咽困难等级。术后3—12个月复查颈椎正侧位X线片,评价内固定效果。结果单节段手术时间为（60±20）min,2例双节段手术时间分别为120min及135min,术中出血量为60～90mL（平均84mL）。术后6周VAS评分改善明显,与术前相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。术后3个月JOA评分改善率为（74±11）％．有8例患者于术后2～5d表现出轻度吞咽困难,其中1例术后3个月随访时仍有轻度吞咽困难,但6个月随访时患者症状消失。术后随访1年未发现内置物沉降,也未发生螺钉松动、断裂或内固定器移位等并发症。结论这种新型零切迹内置物系统操作简单,手术时间短,术中出血量少,早期临床疗效满意,理论上可有效降低钢板置人所导致的并发症,但仍需作大样本随机对照试验的随访调查。     

前路钢板对两节段颈椎间植骨的运用价值

目的评价前路钢板对两节段颈椎间植骨融合的影响。方法46例两节段颈椎病患者,环锯法切除椎间盘、自体髂骨植骨,其中26例病人用了前路钢板内固定。术后复查X线片,了解植骨融合情况,并评价临床效果。结果26例运用钢板患者,全部获得骨性融合;20例单纯植骨病人,4例出现(20%)假关节,融合节段前凸丢失的度数较植骨融合组明显增大。获得植骨融合的病人,临床结果相似(P>0.05)。结论前路钢板系统增加两节段颈椎间植骨融合率、减少并发症。     

颈前路短节段自体骨融合治疗颈椎病的前瞻性研究

目的探讨颈椎前路椎间短节段自体骨融合治疗颈椎病附加内固定的必要性。方法将81例需行颈前路短节段自体骨融合手术治疗的颈椎病患者随机分为单纯植骨及附加钛板内固定两组,随访55例患者,单纯植骨组23例,内固定组32例。随访时间(22±7)个月。采用JOA评分判定手术疗效, X线片判定融合效果、椎间高度变化和颈椎生理曲度变化。结果JOA评分改善率单纯植骨组68%,内固定组58% (P>0 05)。植骨融合率单纯植骨组93% ( 27 /29 ),内固定组100%。椎间高度单纯植骨组下降(0 7±1 0)mm,内固定组增加( 1 2±0 6 )mm (P<0 01 )。颈椎生理曲度单纯植骨组术后较术前减少(0 5±3 2)°, 内固定组术后较术前增加(2 7±7 8)°(P>0 05)。结论颈椎前路椎间短节段自体骨融合附加内固定治疗颈椎病有一定意义。     

颈椎前路术后吞咽困难的相关原因分析

目的 :探讨颈椎前路术后发生吞咽困难的相关原因。方法 :对2011年7月至2013年10月进行颈前路手术的328例患者进行回顾性分析,其中男157例,女171例;年龄28~81岁。手术方式包括颈椎体次全切钛网植骨融合内固定术、颈前路椎间盘摘除植骨融合内固定术、颈椎体次全切椎间盘摘除植骨融合内固定术、颈椎间盘置换。术后1个月根据Bazaz食道功能标准对患者进行评价,将所有患者分成吞咽困难组和吞咽正常组,比较两组年龄、性别、手术节段数、颈前路钛板使用率。结果:术后1个月共有63例患者出现吞咽困难,男19例,女44例,男女性别之间吞咽困难发生率差异有统计学意义(P=9.1×10-280.05);吞咽困难组:年龄38~81岁,平均年龄65.0岁;吞咽正常组:年龄28~73岁,平均年龄53.6岁;发生吞咽困难组与吞咽正常组之间年龄差异有统计学意义(P=1.4×10-80.05);63例吞咽困难患者均使用钛板内固定,而21例吞咽正常患者均为人工颈椎间盘置换(未使用颈前路钛板固定),应用颈前路钛板固定与人工颈椎间盘置换术后的吞咽困难差异有统计学意义(P=0.0180.05);手术单节段3例,双节段24例,3节段及3个以上节段36例,3节段及3个以上节段钛板内固定组与单、双节段钛板内固定组吞咽困难发生率之间差异有统计学意义(P=3.6×10-330.05)。结论 :颈前路术后吞咽困难的原因较多,其中应包括女性、高龄、钛板内固定的应用以及多节段手术等因素,临床医生在进行颈前路手术时应引起高度重视。     

Anterior cervical discectomy with hydroxylapatite fusion

The outcome of microscopic anterior cervical discectomy with iliac crest interbody fusion in a group of 75 patients was compared with that of microscopic anterior cervical discectomy with synthetic hydroxylapatite fusion in a group of 84 patients. The rate of relief of myelopathy (70%) was similar in both groups, but those who underwent synthetic fusion had better long-term relief of radiculopathy, less need for a second operation at the same or an adjacent level, no resorption of the bone plug, comparable spinal alignment and stability, and the elimination of complications at the iliac crest donor site. The data suggest that hydroxylapatite fusion may be equal or superior to autologous iliac crest interbody fusion for anterior cervical disc surgery.     

One- and two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: the effect of plate fixation.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The success of arthrodesis for anterior cervical fusion depends on several factors, including the number of surgical levels. Internal fixation putatively improves the arthrodesis rate and outcome. PURPOSE: To provide medium-term follow-up data on the surgical success and patient outcome of one- and two-level anterior cervical discectomies and fusions and to determine the effect that plate fixation has on results. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of 40 patients who underwent modified Smith-Robinson anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at one or two operative levels. PATIENT SAMPLE: Forty patients. OUTCOME MEASURES: Odom criteria, Nurick grading system, radiographs. METHODS: Forty patients, with an average age of 44 years (range, 27 to 82), were followed for an average of 51 months (range, 24 to 85). All had an anterior discectomy, burring of the end plates and placement of an autogenous tricortical iliac crest graft at one (20 patients) or two levels (20 patients). Twenty-three were stabilized with the Cervical Spine Locking Plate (Synthes Spine, Paoli, PA), 4 single level, 19 two level. All patients had follow-up office visits with examinations and radiographs. Radiographic union, postoperative pain relief and neurologic recovery were evaluated.RESULTS: Successful arthrodesis of single-level procedures occurred in 11 of 16 unplated and 2 of 4 plated fusions. Primary bony union in the two-level group was achieved in 15 of 19 plated patients and did not occur in the single unplated procedure. Clinically, there were 12 excellent, 5 good, 3 satisfactory and 0 poor outcomes among the single-level procedures. Among the dual-level procedures, there were 10 excellent, 5 good, 3 satisfactory and 2 poor results. Nine of 16 who developed adjacent-level degeneration had pain. Five of the 9 also had nonunions. Of the 40, 3 had fibrous union at final follow-up, and 10 had revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The Cervical Spine Locking Plate improved the outcome of two-level procedures to that of uninstrumented one-level fusions. Adjacent-level degeneration is associated with persistent pain, especially if there is also a nonunion. Primary bony union is paralleled by a better clinical outcome.     

Comparison of single-level cervical fusion and a metal-on-metal cervical disc replacement device

Cervical fusion is the common treatment for cervical disc disease but can cause secondary disorders. The Prestige ST cervical disc prosthesis (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN) was designed to preserve spinal motion to potentially limit the secondary disorders. In this article, we report 2-year results from a single-center study comparing use of this device with use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Nineteen patients were prospectively randomized to receive the device or to undergo ACDF. Twenty-four months after surgery, patients who received the device demonstrated improvement in neck pain, arm pain, and neurologic function. In our cohort, patients who underwent arthroplasty demonstrated greater improvement in neurologic function and neck pain than patients who underwent cervical discectomy and fusion.