A Prospective Cohort Study of Dysphagia After Subaxial Cervical Spine Surgery

Efficacy and safety of laminoplasty combined with C3 laminectomy for patients with multilevel degenerative cervical myelopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Laminoplasty (LP) combined with C3 laminectomy (LN) can effectively achieve spinal cord decompression while maintaining the integrity of the posterior ligament-muscle complex, thereby minimizing cervical muscle damage. However, its necessity and safety remain controversial. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of LP and LP combined with C3 LN in the treatment of patients with multilevel degenerative cervical spondylotic myelopathy (DCM).

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was performed. A search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted from inception through December 2023 and updated in February 2024. Search terms included laminoplasty, laminectomy, C3 and degenerative cervical spondylosis. The literature search yielded 14 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Outcomes included radiographic results, neck pain, neurologic function, surgical parameters, and postoperative complications. We also assessed methodologic quality, publication bias, and quality of evidence.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were identified, including 590 patients who underwent LP combined with C3 LN (modified group, MG) compared to 669 patients who underwent LP (traditional group, TG). The results of the study indicated a statistically significant improvement in cervical range of motion (WMD = 3.62, 95% CI: 0.39 to 6.85) and cervical sagittal angle (WMD = 2.07, 95% CI: 0.40 to 3.74) in the MG compared to the TG at the last follow-up (very low-level evidence). The TG had a higher number of patients with complications, especially C2-3 bone fusion. There was no significant difference found in improvement of neck pain, JOA, NDI, cSVA, T1 slope at latest follow-up.

CONCLUSION

LP combined with C3 LN is an effective and necessary surgical method for multilevel DCM patients to maintain cervical sagittal balance. However, due to the low quality of evidence in existing studies, more and higher quality research on the technology is needed in the future.

The preservation of cervical flexibility helps maintain cervical sagittal alignment after laminoplasty

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Cervical spine range of motion (ROM) is a critical factor in changes in cervical sagittal alignment (CSA) and clinical outcomes after cervical laminoplasty (LMP). However, the impact of postoperative cervical ROM on CSA after cervical LMP is still unclear.

PURPOSE

Evaluating the imaging and symptomatic data from patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) to identify the influence of postoperative cervical ROM on post-LMP CSA and surgical outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Eighty-six patients undergoing LMP due to multilevel CSM OUTCOME MEASURES: Radiographic parameters were measured before surgery and at follow-up: cervical lordosis (CL), T1 slope (T1S), cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), CL in flexion (Flex CL), CL in extension (Ext CL), total cervical spine range of motion (ROM), cervical spine range of flexion (Flex ROM), and cervical spine range of extension (Ext ROM). Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and visual analog score (VAS) were used to assessed clinical outcomes. Other parameters included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), follow-up time, number of surgical segments, proximal level, distalis level, and collar wear time.

METHODS

We divided patients according to the changes in CSA (loss of cervical lordosis (LCL)>10°, or ≤10°; an increase in cervical sagittal vertical axis (I-cSVA) >10mm, or ≤10mm). A receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was constructed to identify the optimal cut-off value to discriminate the patients with and without postoperative deterioration of CSA.

RESULTS

The postoperative total and Flex ROM were significantly lower in the LCL>10° and I-cSVA>10mm groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low post-Flex ROM was significant risk factor for postoperative deterioration of CSA. ROC showed that the cut-off value for postoperative Flex ROM was 15.60°. Improvements in JOA recovery rate and neck pain were more significant in the flexibility group (post-Flex ROM ≥15.6°) after surgery. Patients in the stiffness group (post-Flex ROM <15.6°) wore a collar longer.

CONCLUSIONS

The preservation of cervical flexibility can maintain CSA after cervical LMP. Postoperative cervical stiffness is related to poor surgical outcomes because significant cervical kyphotic change and sagittal imbalance are likely to occur after surgery. Prolonged wearing of cervical collar is correlated with cervical stiffness following cervical LMP.

Comparison of Postoperative Complications and Outcomes in Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Versus Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the frequency of complications and outcomes between patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine and those with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) who underwent anterior surgery.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Anterior cervical spine surgery for OPLL is an effective surgical procedure; however, it is complex and technically demanding compared with the procedure for CSM. Few reports have compared postoperative complications and clinical outcomes after anterior surgeries between the 2 pathologies.

METHODS

Among 1434 patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery at 3 spine centers within the same spine research group from January 2011 to March 2021, 333 patients with OPLL and 488 patients with CSM were retrospectively evaluated. Demographics, postoperative complications, and outcomes were reviewed by analyzing medical records. In-hospital and postdischarge postoperative complications were investigated. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated 1 year after the surgery using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score.

RESULTS

Patients with OPLL had more comorbid diabetes mellitus preoperatively than patients with CSM ( P <0.001). Anterior cervical corpectomies were more often performed in patients with OPLL than in those with CSM (73.3% and 14.5%). In-hospital complications, such as reoperation, cerebrospinal fluid leak, C5 palsy, graft complications, hoarseness, and upper airway complications, occurred significantly more often in patients with OPLL. Complications after discharge, such as complications of the graft bone/cage and hoarseness, were significantly more common in patients with OPLL. The recovery rate of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score 1 year postoperatively was similar between patients with OPLL and those with CSM.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that complications, both in-hospital and after discharge following anterior spine surgery, occurred more frequently in patients with OPLL than in those with CSM.

Impact of Frailty and Cervical Radiographic Parameters on Postoperative Dysphagia Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of a prospectively collected registry.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of frailty and radiographical parameters on postoperative dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

There is a growing body of literature indicating an association between frailty and increased postoperative complications following various surgeries. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between frailty and postoperative dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery for the treatment of degenerative cervical pathology were included. Frailty and dysphagia were assessed by the modified Frailty Index-11 (mFI-11) and Eat Assessment Tool 10 (EAT-10), respectively. We also collected clinical demographics and cervical alignment parameters previously reported as risk factors for postoperative dysphagia. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the odds ratio (OR) of postoperative dysphagia at early (2-6 weeks) and late postoperative time points (1-2 years).

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients who underwent ACSS were included in the study. Postoperative dysphagia occurred in 31 patients (32.6%) at the early postoperative time point. Multivariable logistic regression identified higher mFI-11 score (OR, 4.03; 95% CI: 1.24-13.16; P =0.021), overcorrection of TS-CL after surgery (TS-CL, T1 slope minus C2-C7 lordosis; OR, 0.86; 95% CI: 0.79-0.95; P =0.003), and surgery at C3/C4 (OR, 12.38; 95% CI: 1.41-108.92; P =0.023) as factors associated with postoperative dysphagia.

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty, as assessed by the mFI-11, was significantly associated with postoperative dysphagia after ACSS. Additional factors associated with postoperative dysphagia were overcorrection of TS-CL and surgery at C3/C4. These findings emphasize the importance of assessing frailty and cervical alignment in the decision-making process preceding ACSS.

Perioperative Complications of Laminoplasty in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy -A Comparative Study Between Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Using a Nationwide Inpatient Database

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES

Laminoplasty (LAMP) is one of the effective methods to successfully achieve surgical decompression in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). However, little evidence exists regarding the perioperative complications in LAMP for patients with ossification of the longitudinal ligament (OPLL) compared with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). We aimed to investigate the perioperative complication rates and medical costs of DCM, including OPLL and CSM patients who underwent LAMP using a large national inpatient database.

METHODS

This study identified patients who underwent LAMP for OPLL and CSM from 2010 to 2016 using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. We compared the incidence of perioperative complications (systemic and local), reoperation rates, medical costs during hospitalization, and mortality were between the OPLL and CSM groups after propensity score matching.

RESULTS

This study included 22,714 patients (OPLL: 7485 patients, CSM: 15,229 patients). Consequently, 7169 pairs were matched. More perioperative systemic complications were detected in the OPLL group (one complication: 9.1% vs 7.7%; P = .002), especially for pneumonia (.5% vs .2%; P = .001) and dysphagia (.5% vs .2%; P = .004). The local complication rate was also higher in the OPLL group (paralysis: 1.1% vs .6%, P = .006; spinal fluid leakage: .4% vs .1%, P = .002). The hospitalization costs were approximately $2300 higher ($19,024 vs $16,770; P < .001) in the OPLL group.

CONCLUSIONS

More perioperative complications and higher medical costs were noted in patients with OPLL than in patients with CSM who underwent LAMP.

Symptoms and coping of patients with dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery: a qualitative study

AIM

To explore the subjective symptoms, psychological characteristics and coping strategies of patients with dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery, so as to provide the basis for formulating strategies to help patients with dysphagia solve clinical practice problems and to improve their quality of life after surgery.

METHODS

Using the phenomenological research method and the purpose sampling method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants with dysphagia at 3-time points after anterior cervical spine surgery (7 days, 6 weeks, and 6 months).

RESULTS

A total of 22 (10 females and 12 males) patients, with years old ranging between 33 and 78 years were interviewed. When analysing the data, the following 3 categories were extracted from the participant interviews: "Subjective symptoms, Coping style and impact on social life". The 3 categories consist of 10 sub-categories.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that swallowing-related symptoms may occur after anterior cervical spine surgery. Many patients had developed compensatory strategies to manage or reduce the burden of these symptoms, but lacked professional guidance from health care professionals. Moreover, dysphagia after neck surgery has its unique characteristics, involving the interaction of physical, emotional and social factors, which requires early screening.Healthcare professionals should provide better psychological support in the early or late postoperative period to ensure the improvement of health outcomes and patients' quality of life.

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

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Dysphagia is one of the postoperative complications of cervical degenerative disorders. However, few studies have evaluated the pre- and postoperative swallowing function in detail.

PURPOSE

To analyze pre- and postoperative swallowing dynamics kinetically and investigate factors associated with postoperative dysphagia in patients with cervical degenerative disorders.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

PATIENT SAMPLE

A 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 MEASURES

We 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.

METHODS

Videofluoroscopy 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.

RESULTS

In 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).

CONCLUSIONS

Each 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.

Prospective Comparative Study of Dysphagia after Subaxial Cervical Spine Surgery: Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy and Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Ossification

We prospectively investigated the postoperative dysphagia in cervical posterior longitudinal ligament ossification (C-OPLL) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) to identify the risk factors of each disease and the incidence. A series of 55 cases with C-OPLL: 13 anterior decompression with fusion (ADF), 16 posterior decompression with fusion (PDF), and 26 laminoplasty (LAMP), and a series of 123 cases with CSM: 61 ADF, 5 PDF, and 57 LAMP, were included. Vertebral level, number of segments, approach, and with or without fusion, and pre and postoperative values of Bazaz dysphagia score, C2-7 lordotic angle (&ang;C2-7), cervical range of motion, O-C2 lordotic angle, cervical Japanese Orthopedic Association score, and visual analog scale for neck pain were investigated. New dysphagia was defined as an increase in the Bazaz dysphagia score by one grade or more than one year after surgery. New dysphagia occurred in 12 cases with C-OPLL; 6 with ADF (46.2%), 4 with PDF (25%), 2 with LAMP (7.7%), and in 19 cases with CSM; 15 with ADF (24.6%), 1 with PDF (20%), and 3 with LAMP (1.8%). There was no significant difference in the incidence between the two diseases. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that increased &ang;C2-7 was a risk factor for both diseases.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with zero-profile versus stand-alone cages for two-level cervical spondylosis: A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the mid-long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of zero-profile (ZP) compared with stand-alone (ST) cages for two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

METHODS

We included 77 patients (39 women and 38 men) who underwent two-level ACDF between May 5, 2016, and May 5, 2020, and who were followed up for at least 1 year. The subjects were divided into the ST (n = 38) and ZP (n = 39) group. For the evaluation of functional status, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were used. Additionally, radiological outcomes and procedure complications were observed at final follow-up.

RESULTS

Both groups had excellent clinical outcomes at the final follow-up. There were no significant intergroup (ZP vs. ST) differences in the fusion rate (91.02% vs. 90.79%, P > 0.05) and postoperative dysphagia (15.4% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.108). However, the disc height at the final follow-up in the ZP group was higher than that in the ST group (6.86 ± 0.84 vs. 6.17 ± 1.03, P = 0.002). The ZP group accomplished a lower loss of cervical lordosis (18.46 ± 4.78 vs. 16.55 ± 4.36, P = 0.071), but without reaching statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

ACDF with either ZP or ST cages turns out to be a dependable strategy for two-level ACDF in terms of clinical results. However, compared with the ST, the ZP cage may achieve a significantly lower loss of disc height.

Evaluating a paradigm shift from anterior decompression and fusion to muscle-preserving selective laminectomy: a single-center study of degenerative cervical myelopathy

OBJECTIVE

Muscle-preserving selective laminectomy (SL) is an alternative to conventional decompression surgery in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). It is less invasive, preserves the extensor musculature, and maintains the range of motion of the cervical spine. Therefore, the preferred treatment for DCM at the authors' institution has changed from anterior decompression and fusion (ADF), including anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF), toward SL. The aim of this study was to evaluate surgical outcomes before and after this paradigm shift with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), complications, reoperations, and cost-effectiveness.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective register-based cohort study. All patients with DCM who underwent ADF or SL at the authors' institution from 2008 to 2019 were reviewed. Using ANCOVA, changes in PROMs from baseline to the 2-year follow-up were compared between the two groups, adjusting for clinicodemographic parameters, baseline PROMs, number of decompressed levels, and MRI measurements (C2-7 Cobb angle, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis [SVA], and modified K-line interval [mK-line INT]). The PROMs, including the European Myelopathy Score (EMS), the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the EQ-5D, were collected from the national Swedish Spine Register. Complications, reoperations, and in-hospital treatment costs were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Ninety patients (mean age 60.7 years, 51 men [57%]) were included in the ADF group and 63 patients (mean age 68.8 years, 41 men [65%]) in the SL group. The ADF and SL groups had similar PROMs at baseline. The preoperative MR images showed similar C2-7 Cobb angles (10.7° [ADF] vs 14.1° [SL], p = 0.12) and mK-line INTs (4.08 vs 4.88 mm, p = 0.07), but different C2-7 SVA values (16.2 vs 19.3 mm, p = 0.04). The comparison of ANCOVA-adjusted mean changes in PROMs from baseline to the 2-year follow-up presented no significant differences between the groups (EMS, p = 0.901; NDI, p = 0.639; EQ-5D, p = 0.378; and EQ-5D health, p = 0.418). The overall complication rate was twice as high in the ADF group (22.2% vs 9.5%, p = 0.049), while the reoperation rate was comparable (16.7% vs 7.9%, p = 0.146). The average in-hospital treatment cost per patient was $6617 (USD) for SL, $7046 for ACDF, and $12,000 for ACCF.

CONCLUSIONS

SL provides similar PROMs after 2 years, a significantly lower complication rate, and better cost-effectiveness compared with ADF.

Ultrasound-guided Cervical Retro-laminar Block for Cervical Radicular Pain: A Comparative Analysis

STUDY DESIGN AND OBJECTIVE

Cervical radiculopathy is a common clinical condition, often treated with cervical epidural steroid injections (ESI). Retro-laminar cervical blocks (RLCB) may be considered safer than ESI as they do not require entering the neuroaxis.In this study, we evaluated the outcome of RLCB in patients with cervical radiculopathy who had failed conservative treatment and were candidates for cervical spine decompression surgery.

BACKGROUND DATA

Recently, we reported a clinical pilot study investigating the treatment of cervical radiculopathy with an ultrasound-guided RLCB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, comparative analysis of prospectively collected data was carried out on the medical records of all patients who underwent RLCB for cervical radicular pain, between August 2019 and March 2021.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight patients were included in the analysis, with a total of 139 procedures.A significant pain reduction was achieved for most patients immediately after the procedure and at the final follow up (16.9±13.4 wk). The mean numerical rating scale for the whole cohort changed from 7.21±2.51 to 4.04±2.51 ( P -value <0.01) at the time of discharge, with similar patterns at the subgroup level. A functional evaluation was carried out by a questionnaire (Neck Disability Index-NDI). Overall, 83% of patients had a lower postprocedural NDI than preprocedural NDI. For 80% of patients, the improvement of NDI surpassed the minimal clinically important change at the final assessment. Most patients (61%) were discharged after just one RLCB. Eight patients (8%) eventually underwent surgery. The most frequent complaint was injection site soreness; however, there were no major adverse events reported.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that RLCB can be performed as an alternative to cervical ESI and decompressive surgery in patients with cervical radicular pain that's refractory to noninvasive treatment. More comparative and prospective studies are needed to confirm our results.

Comparison of Bazaz scale, Dysphagia Short Questionnaire, and Hospital for Special Surgery-Dysphagia and Dysphonia Inventory for Assessing Dysphagia Symptoms After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery in Chinese Population

Dysphagia is one of the most common complaints after anterior cervical spine surgery. The Bazaz scale, the Dysphagia Short Questionnaire (DSQ), and the Hospital for Special Surgery-Dysphagia and Dysphonia Inventory (HSS-DDI) were patient-reported outcome measures assessing the patients' perceptions of their swallowing functions after surgery. This prospective diagnostic test study aimed to compare these surveys' psychometric properties in the Chinese population. We evaluated 150 consecutive patients after anterior cervical spine surgery with the Bazaz scale, DSQ, HSS-DDI, and M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI). The reliability and validity of the Bazaz scale, DSQ, and HSS-DDI were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the DSQ, Bazaz scale, and HSS-DDI were constructed using the MDADI as a reference criterion. Their areas under the curve (AUCs) were further analyzed. In total, 132 participants completed all of the surveys. The results showed that all surveys were significantly correlated with each other. The HSS-DDI and HSS-Dysphagia subscale showed near-perfect reliability (Cronbach α = 0.969 and 0.957, respectively). ROC curves showed both HSS-DDI and HSS-Dysphagia subscale had greater accuracy (AUCs > 0.9) in detecting mild dysphagia and moderate/severe dysphagia. The HSS-Dysphagia subscale achieved higher accuracy in assessing the dysphagia symptoms after anterior cervical spine surgery. The Bazaz scale was considered less accurate than other scales. Our results provided guidance for selecting the appropriate measuring tool during clinical and research practices.