1
|
Yang L, Li Y, Dai C, Pang X, Li D, Wu Y, Chen X, Peng B. Anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery for cervicogenic headache: A multicenter prospective cohort study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1064976. [PMID: 36504652 PMCID: PMC9731211 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1064976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cervicogenic headache (CEH) has long been recognized as a referred pain deriving from pathological changes in the upper cervical nerves. However, previous clinical studies found that anterior lower cervical discectomy for the treatment of cervical myelopathy and/or radiculopathy can also help relieve associated headaches. To date, there is still a lack of large sample and prospective study to investigate the effect of anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) on CEH associated with cervical spondylosis. Methods A total of 656 patients with cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy were enrolled in three spinal centers. Among them, 221 patients who were diagnosed with CEH were collected in this study, and 204 completed a 1-year follow-up. The primary endpoint was headache intensity during a 12-month follow-up period measured by the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). The secondary outcome measures included headache frequency, headache duration, and the neck disability index (NDI). Results Among all 204 patients with CEH who completed a 1-year follow-up, 166 received anterior cervical surgery (surgery group) and 38 received conservative treatment (conservative group). There were statistically significant lower NPRS in the surgical group during follow-up. Between-group differences showed that NPRS in the surgery group was significantly greater improvement at 1 month (2.8, 95% CI: 2.0, 3.6), 3 months (2.6, 95% CI: 1.8, 3.4), 6 months (2.4, 95% CI: 1.6, 3.2), and 12 months (1.5, 95% CI: 0.7, 2.4) (p < 0.05 for all). There were statistically significant lower NDI, less frequent headaches, and lower headache duration in the surgery group during follow-up (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusion This study indicates that ACDF can effectively relieve CEH associated with cervical myelopathy and/or radiculopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Yang
- Department of Orthopeadics, Featured Medical Center of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Tianjing, China,Department of Orthopeadics, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yongchao Li
- Department of Orthopeadics, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Dai
- Department of Orthopeadics, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Pang
- Department of Orthopeadics, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Duanming Li
- Department of Orthopeadics, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Wu
- Department of Orthopeadics, Beijing 304th Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiongsheng Chen
- Department of Orthopeadics, Spine Center, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China,Xiongsheng Chen
| | - Baogan Peng
- Department of Orthopeadics, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Baogan Peng
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Garg K, Aggarwal A. Effect of Cervical Decompression on Atypical Symptoms Cervical Spondylosis-A Narrative Review and Meta-Analysis. World Neurosurg 2021; 157:207-217.e1. [PMID: 34655819 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.09.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypical symptoms of cervical spondylosis refer to symptoms other than the typical symptoms of cervical spondylosis and include headache, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, blurred vision, tinnitus, hypomnesia, and palpitations. The role of cervical decompression in mitigating atypical symptoms of cervical spondylosis is still unclear. METHODS A comprehensive search of different databases was performed to retrieve articles that studied the effect of cervical decompression on associated atypical symptoms. The data were analyzed to obtain pooled improvement in the various atypical symptoms after cervical decompression. RESULTS Twenty-seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. Our analysis showed that cervical decompression was associated with significant improvement in Neck Disability Index-Headache Component (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.94 to -0.74; P < 0.0001), visual analog scale (SMD, -1.47; 95% CI, -1.73 to -1.21; P = 0.0004) and cervicogenic headache (odds ratio [OR], 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06-0.63; P = 0.01). Significant improvement was also observed in vertigo (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.10-0.77; P = 0.02), tinnitus (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.35-0.83; P = 0.02), and nausea (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.13-0.47; P = 0.006) after cervical decompression. Nonsignificant improvement was noticed in the rates of blurred vision, hypomnesia, giddiness, gastrointestinal discomfort, palpitations, and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis showed that cervicogenic headache, tinnitus, and nausea were significantly relieved after cervical decompression. There was no significant effect of cervical decompression on blurred vision, hypomnesia, giddiness gastrointestinal discomfort, palpitations, and hypertension.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kanwaljeet Garg
- Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Ankita Aggarwal
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pang X, Liu C, Peng B. Anterior Cervical Surgery for the Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache Caused by Cervical Spondylosis. J Pain Res 2020; 13:2783-2789. [PMID: 33173327 PMCID: PMC7646456 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s275680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Study Design Retrospective study. Objective To report the efficacy of anterior cervical surgery for the relief of cervicogenic headache (CEH) caused by cervical spondylosis. Methods From January 2014 to December 2016, a total of 166 cases of cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy received anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) in our institution, among which 50 cases (mean age 44.7 years) were accompanied by CEH and followed up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively, respectively. Neck pain and headache scores according to neck disability index (NDI) were documented for all patients at regular intervals. The results measured at different follow-up time point were compared statistically. Results All 50 patients reported neck pain and headache at the same time before surgery. The average NDIs for neck pain before and after surgery were 2.86 (95% CI: 2.7–3.0) preoperatively, 0.98 (95% CI: 0.8–1.1) at 3 months, 0.68 (95% CI: 0.5–0.9) at 6 months, 0.62 (95% CI: 0.5–0.8) at 12 months, and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.4–0.8) at 24 months postoperatively, respectively. The average NDIs for CEH before and after surgery were 2.32 (95% CI: 2.2–2.5) preoperatively, 0.62 (95% CI: 0.5–0.8) at 3 months, 0.60 (95% CI: 0.4–0.8) at 6 months, 0.56 (95% CI: 0.4–0.7) at 12 months, and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.3–0.7) at 24 months postoperatively, respectively. The neck pain and headache improved in all cases and the NDI score of neck pain or headache at each follow-up point after surgery was significantly different from that before surgery (P <0.001). The simple correlation analysis between neck pain and headache was performed, and the Pearson coefficient r was 0.71, indicating a positive correlation between neck pain NDI and headache NDI. No serious surgical complications were found. Conclusion Our study suggests that patients with cervical spondylosis complicated with CEH are always accompanied by neck pain. ACDF can not only relieve neck pain but also improve the accompanying CEH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Pang
- Department of Spinal Surgery, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Department of Spinal Surgery, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, People's Republic of China
| | - Baogan Peng
- Department of Spinal Surgery, The Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
The Effect of ACDF or Arthroplasty on Cervicogenic Headaches: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Prospective, Multicenter Study With 10-Year Follow-up. Clin Spine Surg 2020; 33:339-344. [PMID: 32991361 DOI: 10.1097/bsd.0000000000001087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN This was a post hoc analysis of a prospective FDA-IDE study. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA) at relieving headaches associated with cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy at 10 years postoperative. BACKGROUND To our knowledge, there is no large, prospective study that has examined the efficacy of cervical spine surgery for relieving headaches associated with radiculopathy or myelopathy at 10 years postoperative. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a post hoc analysis of a prospective FDA-IDE study for the Prestige LP versus ACDF for radiculopathy or myelopathy due to 2 levels. Preoperatively and out to 10 years, their Neck Disability Index documented if they had headaches (0: no headaches; 1: infrequent slight; 2: infrequent moderate; 3: frequent moderate; 4: frequent severe; 5: nearly constant). RESULTS Three hundred ninety-seven patients were randomized to CDA (209) or ACDF (188). Preoperatively 86% had headaches and 55.9% (52.2% of CDA, 60.1% of ACDFs) had frequent moderate, severe, or nearly constant headache (grades 3-5). By 6 weeks postoperative, 64.4% had headaches and only 12.5% had grades 3-5 headaches (9.3% of CDA and 16% of ACDFs). The benefit lasted to the 10-year follow-up such that 60.3% had any headaches and 16.8% had grades 3-5 headaches (10.9% CDA; 24.3% ACDF). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that 86% of patients with radiculopathy or myelopathy complain of headaches preoperatively, with 55.9% having frequent or constant, moderate to severe headaches (grades 3-5). By 6 weeks postoperative, only 12.5% had grades 3-5 headaches. At 10-year follow-up, 16.8% had grades 3-5 headaches. Both arthroplasty and ACDF are often effective at alleviating headaches associated with radiculopathy or myelopathy.
Collapse
|
5
|
Headache in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy. Pain Res Manag 2020; 2020:8856088. [PMID: 33062084 PMCID: PMC7539132 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8856088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The anatomical mechanisms of cervicogenic headache caused by upper cervical lesions have been reported. However, the pathomechanisms of headache caused by lower cervical spine disorders remain unknown. The purpose of the current study was to clarify the prevalence and pathogenesis of headaches in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods In this retrospective study, a questionnaire regarding preoperative and postoperative symptoms was sent to 147 patients with CSM who were surgically treated in our hospital during the previous 10 years. All of the surgical procedures were decompression surgeries between the C3 and C7 levels. Data from 74 patients (50.3%) were available for analysis. Subjects were divided into four groups according to the presence or absence of preoperative and postoperative headache. The severity of pain, severity of neuropathic pain symptoms, depression, severity of myelopathy, and quality of life (QOL) were also evaluated using questionnaires. The scores of these questionnaires were then compared between the four groups. Kruskal–Wallis tests with Dunn–Bonferroni post hoc tests were used for comparisons. Results Of the patients with CSM, 31% had headaches preoperatively, and 43% of these headaches disappeared postoperatively. Type 4 (preoperative headache-positive/postoperative headache-positive) patients had more severe pain and neuropathic pain symptoms and lower QOL scores compared with type 1 (preoperative headache-negative/postoperative headache-negative) patients. Conclusions Approximately one-third of all patients with CSM had headaches preoperatively. Headache in patients with CSM may be neuropathic pain. A proportion of headaches in patients with CSM can be treated by decompression surgery.
Collapse
|
6
|
Thind H, Ramanathan D, Ebinu J, Copenhaver D, Kim KD. Headache Relief Is Maintained 7 Years After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Post Hoc Analysis From a Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial and Cervicogenic Headache Hypothesis. Neurospine 2020; 17:365-373. [PMID: 32615697 PMCID: PMC7338945 DOI: 10.14245/ns.2040004.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether anterior cervical spine surgery offers sustained (7 years) relief in patients with cervicogenic headaches (CGHs), and evaluate the difference between cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for 1 and 2-level surgeries from a multicenter randomized clinical trial. METHODS A post hoc analysis was performed of 575 patients who underwent one or 2-level CDA or ACDF for symptomatic cervical spondylosis as part of a prospective randomized clinical trial. Assessment of pain and functional outcome was done with the Neck Disability Index (NDI) in the trial. We used the NDI headache component to assess headache outcome. RESULTS For both 1- and 2-level CDA and ACDF groups, there was significant headache improvement from preoperative baseline out to 7 years (p < 0.0001). For 1-level surgeries, headache improvement was similar for both groups at the 7-year point. For 2-level treatment, CDA patients had significantly improved headache scores versus ACDF patients at the 7-year point (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION The headache improvement noted at early follow-up was sustained over the long-term period with ACDF and CDA populations. In the case of 2-level operations, CDA patients demonstrated significantly greater benefit compared to ACDF patients over the long-term. Sinuvertebral nerve irritation at the unco-vasculo-radicular junction and anterior dura may be the cause of CGH. Therefore, it is possible that improved cervical kinematics and preservation of range of motion at adjacent uncovertebral joints in CDA may contribute to the observed difference between the groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harjot Thind
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Dinesh Ramanathan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Julius Ebinu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - David Copenhaver
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Kee D Kim
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wahood W, Yolcu YU, Kerezoudis P, Goyal A, Alvi MA, Freedman BA, Bydon M. Artificial Discs in Cervical Disc Replacement: A Meta-Analysis for Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes. World Neurosurg 2019; 134:598-613.e5. [PMID: 31627001 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical disc replacement (CDR) has emerged as an alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the surgical treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease. Although comparison of the 2 techniques has been studied in the literature, a thorough assessment of all artificial discs between each has not been performed. The objective of the present study was to examine the long-term outcomes of 5 artificial discs. METHODS An electronic literature search was conducted for studies of CDR devices for all years available. Only articles in English were included. Heterotopic ossification, adjacent segment disease, and reoperation comprised the primary outcomes of interest. Pooled descriptive statistics with effect size (ES) and 95% confidence interval were used to synthesize the outcomes for each device. RESULTS Sixty-five studies (n = 5785) were included in the analysis. Comparison of the incidence of grade III/IV heterotopic ossification showed a significant variability between the 5 devices (P < 0.001) with ProDisc-C (ES, 38%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 24%-54%) having the highest incidence rate. Overall rate of adjacent segment disease was 14% (95% CI, 7%-23%) with significant associated heterogeneity (P < 0.001). Regarding 2-year reoperation risk, the overall incidence rate was 2% (95% CI, 1%-3%), with nonsignificant variability between devices (P = 0.63). The highest rate was observed in the Discover group (ES, 4%; 95% CI, 0%-13%). CONCLUSIONS The results of the present meta-analysis indicate that surgical and clinical outcomes may differ among different CDR devices. These findings may assist surgeons in tailoring their decision making to specific patient profiles. Future multicenter efforts are needed to validate associations found in this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Wahood
- Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yagiz Ugur Yolcu
- Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Panagiotis Kerezoudis
- Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Anshit Goyal
- Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mohammed Ali Alvi
- Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Brett A Freedman
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mohamad Bydon
- Mayo Clinic Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Xiao H, Peng B, Ma K, Huang D, Liu X, Lu Y, Liu Q, Lu L, Liu J, Li Y, Song T, Tao W, Shen W, Yang X, Wang L, Zhang X, Zhuang Z, Liu H, Liu Y. The Chinese Association for the Study of Pain (CASP): Expert Consensus on the Cervicogenic Headache. Pain Res Manag 2019; 2019:9617280. [PMID: 31065305 PMCID: PMC6466854 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9617280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cervicogenic headache is a relatively common but unique form of headache, and in China, as well as in several other countries, both diagnosis and a clear evidence-based treatment plan remain controversial. Therefore, the Chinese Association for the Study of Pain organized a meeting of pain management experts and created an expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of cervicogenic headache in China. This article summarizes the conclusions of the consensus group regarding the epidemiology, etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of cervicogenic headache in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xiao
- Department of Algology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Baogan Peng
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Armed Police Force, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Ma
- Department of Algology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Huang
- Department of Algology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xianguo Liu
- Pain Research Center of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Algology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Algology, The Affiliated T.C.M Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Lijuan Lu
- Department of Algology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingfeng Liu
- Department of Algology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yimei Li
- Department of Algology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Wulumuqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Tao Song
- Department of Algology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoling, China
| | - Wei Tao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen Shen
- Department of Algology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoqiu Yang
- Department of Algology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Algology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- Department of Algology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhigang Zhuang
- Department of Algology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Algology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanqing Liu
- Department of Algology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement Versus Fusion for Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease: A Health Technology Assessment. ONTARIO HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT SERIES 2019; 19:1-223. [PMID: 30847009 PMCID: PMC6394883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical degenerative disc disease is a multifactorial condition that begins with deterioration of the intervertebral disc and results in further degeneration within the spine involving the facet joints and ligaments. This health technology assessment examined the effectiveness, safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness of cervical artificial disc replacement (C-ADR) versus fusion for treating cervical degenerative disc disease. METHODS We performed a systematic literature search of the clinical evidence comparing C-ADR with fusion. We assessed the risk of bias in each study and the quality of the body of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group criteria. We performed a systematic review of the economic literature and assessed the cost-effectiveness of C-ADR compared with fusion. We also estimated the budget impact of publicly funding C-ADR in Ontario over the next 5 years. To contextualize the potential value of C-ADR, we spoke with people with cervical degenerative disc disease. RESULTS Eight studies of C-ADR for one-level cervical degenerative disc disease and two studies of C-ADR for two-level disease satisfied the criterion of statistical noninferiority compared with fusion on the primary outcome of 2-year overall treatment success (GRADE: Moderate). In two studies of C-ADR for two-level disease, C-ADR was statistically superior to fusion surgery for the same primary outcome (GRADE: Moderate). C-ADR was also noninferior to fusion for perioperative outcomes (e.g., operative time, blood loss), patient satisfaction, and health-related quality of life (GRADE: Moderate). C-ADR was superior to fusion for recovery and return to work, had higher technical success, and had lower rates of re-operation at the index site (GRADE: Moderate). C-ADR also maintained motion at the index-treated cervical level (GRADE: Moderate), but evidence was insufficient to determine if adjacent-level surgery rates differed between C-ADR and fusion. Current evidence is also insufficient to determine the long-term durability of C-ADR.The primary economic analysis shows that C-ADR is likely to be cost-effective compared with fusion for both one-level ($11,607/quality-adjusted life-year [QALY]) and two-level ($16,782/QALY) degeneration. Various sensitivity and scenario analyses confirm the robustness of the results. The current uptake for one-level and two-level C-ADR in Ontario is about 8% of the total eligible. For one-level involvement, the estimated net budget impact increases from $7,243 (18 procedures) in the first year to $395,623 (196 procedures) in the fifth year following public funding, for a total budget impact over 5 years of $916,326. For two-level involvement, the corresponding values are $5,460 (7 procedures) in the first year and $283,689 (76 procedures) in the fifth year, for an estimated total budget impact of $705,628 over 5 years.People with cervical degenerative disc disease reported that symptoms of pain and numbness can have a negative impact on their quality of life. People with whom we spoke had tried a variety of treatments with minor success; surgery was perceived as the most effective and permanent solution. Those who had undergone C-ADR spoke positively of its impact on their quality of life and ability to move their neck after surgery. The limited availability of C-ADR in Ontario was viewed as a barrier to receiving this treatment. CONCLUSIONS For carefully selected patients with cervical degenerative disc disease, C-ADR provides patient-important and statistically significant reductions in pain and disability. Further, unlike fusion, C-ADR allows people to maintain relatively normal cervical spine motion.Compared with fusion, C-ADR appears to represent good value for money for adults with one-level cervical degenerative disc disease ($11,607/QALY) and for adults with two-level disease ($16,782/QALY). In Ontario, publicly funding C-ADR could result in total additional costs of $916,326 for one-level procedures and $705,628 for two-level procedures over the next 5 years.People with whom we spoke who had undergone C-ADR surgery spoke positively of its impact on their quality of life and ability to move their neck after surgery. The limited availability of C-ADR in Ontario was viewed as a barrier to receiving this treatment.
Collapse
|