Comparison between anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a meta-analysis

Challenges and outcomes of upper cervical spinal tuberculosis surgery in pandemic-Case series study

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs. Conversely, the incidence of spinal tuberculosis (TB) was limited to a mere 6 % of cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Upper cervical spinal TB is an exceptionally uncommon condition, with an incidence rate of approximately 0.3-1 % among all cases of spinal tuberculosis.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Three patients diagnosed with upper cervical spinal tuberculosis who underwent Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Fusion (ACCF) or Occipitocervical fusion surgery were reviewed retrospectively. The data was obtained during the pandemic period in Indonesia. The patients were evaluated using pre-operative and post-operative Cobb's angles, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Frankel scale, and Neck Pain and Disability (NPAD) scale.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The ACCF surgery was more favourable when the compression was extended to the vertebral body; it showed good clinical and radiological outcomes. Multilevel ACCF and pathologies affecting bone quality seemed to be risk factors for material subsidence and instability. In this case, all the patients had performed ACCF surgery. The mean Cobb's angle pre-operative was 15.30, and Cobb's angle post-operative was 6.50. The mean pre-operative VAS value was 6.3, and the post-operative VAS value was 3. Compared to the post-operative scale, the pre-operative Frankel scale experienced an average increase of 2 levels. In contrast, the mean value of good post-operative NPAD is 29.3.

CONCLUSION

Operative procedures on upper cervical spinal tuberculosis cases can improve patient's quality of life significantly, clinically and radiologically.

Anterior percutaneous full-endoscopic transcorporeal decompression of the spinal cord via one vertebra with two bony channels for adjacent two-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a technical note

BACKGROUND

The current treatments for adjacent two-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) include two-segment anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and single-segment anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). Long-term follow-up has demonstrated that both procedures have complications such as reduced cervical mobility, accelerated degeneration of adjacent segments and loosening of internal fixation screws. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of anterior percutaneous full-endoscopic transcorporeal decompression of the spinal cord (APFETDSC) via one vertebra with two bony channels for the treatment of adjacent two-segment CSM and to present our surgical experience.

METHODS

Anterior percutaneous full-endoscopic transcorporeal decompression of the spinal cord (APFETDSC) via one vertebra with two bony channels was performed for 12 patients with adjacent two-segment CSM with follow-up care for at least 12 months. The Visual analog scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopedic Association Score (JOA) were recorded, and modified Macnab criteria were used to evaluate the treatment excellence rate. Radiological examinations, including X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were used to evaluate spinal cord decompression, intervertebral stability and healing of the bony channel.

RESULTS

All 12 patients completed the operation successfully. No postoperative complications, such as dysphagia, Horner's syndrome, or laryngeal recurrent nerve palsy, were found. The postoperative VAS and JOA scores were significantly improved compared with those before surgery(P < 0.001). According to the modified Macnab criteria, the clinical outcome was excellent in 8 cases, good in 3 cases and fine in 1 case at the final follow-up and the excellent and good rate was 91.7%. Postoperative and follow-up imaging showed significant spinal cord decompression, well-healed bony channels and no cervical instability.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first report of anterior percutaneous full-endoscopic transcorporeal decompression of the spinal cord via one vertebra with two bony channels. This procedure has the advantages of less trauma, faster recovery, fewer complications and no need to implant internal fixators. This is a minimally invasive, feasible and safe surgical procedure for patients with adjacent two-segment CSM.

Anterior 1-2 Level Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion for Degenerative Cervical Disease: A Retrospective Study With Lordotic Porous Tantalum Cages. Long-Term Changes in Sagittal Alignment and Their Clinical and Radiological Implications After Cage Subsidence

BACKGROUND

Despite the advances in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) as a reconstructive surgical technique, the rate of complications related to artificial implants remains high. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term clinical course of ACCF with tantalum trabecular metal (TTM)-lordotic implants. Focus is placed on the relevance and influence of implant subsidence on sagittal alignment and the related clinical implications.

METHODS

Retrospective, observational study of prospectively collected outcomes including 56 consecutive patients with degenerative cervical disc disease (myelopathy and/or radiculopathy). All patients underwent 1-level or 2-level ACCF with TTM-lordotic implants. The mean duration of follow-up was 4.85 years.

RESULTS

The fusion rate at the end of follow-up was 98.11% (52/53). Implant subsidence occurred in 44 (83.01%) cases, including slight subsistence (<3 mm) in 37 (69.81%) and severe subsidence (>3 mm) in 7 cases (13.2%). The greatest degree of subsidence developed in the first 3 months postoperatively (P = 0.003). No patients presented a significant increase in implant subsidence beyond the second year of follow-up. The most common site of severe subsidence was the anterior region of the cranial end plate (4/7). At the end of follow-up, C1-C7 lordosis and segmental-Cobb angle of the fused segment increased on average by 5.06 ± 8.26 and 1.98 ± 6.02 degrees, respectively, though this difference failed to reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). Visual analog scale and Neck Disability Index scores improved at the conclusion of follow-up (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ACCF with anterior cervical reconstruction using TTM-lordotic implants and anterior cervical plating for treatment of cervical degenerative disease has high fusion rates and good clinical outcome. The osteoconductive properties of TTM provide immediate stabilization and eliminate the need for bone grafts to ensure solid bone fusion. Before fusion occurs, asymptomatic implant settlement into the vertebral body is inevitable. However, lack of parallelism and reduced contact surface between the implant and the vertebral end plate are major risk factors for severe further subsidence, which may negatively affect the clinical outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Increased Height of Fused Segments Contributes to Early-Phase Strut Subsidence after Anterior Cervical Corpectomy with Fusion for Multilevel Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Introduction

Anterior decompression and fusion have shown favorable neurologic outcomes in patients with cervical myelopathy. However, implant migration sometimes occurs immediately after multilevel anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion (ACCF). Risk factors associated with early bone graft migration have not been precisely documented. The study aimed to investigate how frequently bone graft subsidence occurs after ACCF and to determine the factors affecting implant migration.

Methods

Forty-seven consecutive patients who underwent ACCF for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament at our hospital between 2007 and 2015 and were able to complete 1 year of follow-up were enrolled. Patients treated with hybrid fixation were excluded. Data on demographics and radiographic findings, namely, fused segment angle and fused segment height (FSH), were collected. Implant migration was defined as subsidence of >3 mm. The patients were divided into 2-segment (2F), 3-segment (3F), and ≥4-segment (4F) groups. Results were compared between the groups using one-way analysis of variance, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the chi-square test.

Results

Mean age was 61.6 years in the 2F group (n = 17), 62.1 years in the 3F group (n = 21), and 69 years in the 4F group (n = 9). There were no significant between-group differences in demographics or clinical characteristics. Implant subsidence occurred in 3 cases (17.6%) in the 2F group, 4 (19%) in the 3F group, and 3 (33.3%) in the 4F group. Revision surgery was required in 2 cases (1 patient each in the 3F and 4F groups). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association of increased FSH and increased risk of postoperative implant subsidence.

Conclusions

A postoperative increase in FSH may affect graft stability and lead to early implant migration.

Biomechanical Comparison of 1-Level Corpectomy and 2-Level Discectomy for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Finite Element Analysis

BACKGROUND Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) are effective treatments for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), but it is unclear which is better. In this study, we compared the biomechanical properties of 2-level ACDF and 1-level ACCF. MATERIAL AND METHODS An intact C3-C7 cervical spine model was developed and validated, then ACDF and ACCF simulation models were developed. We imposed 1.0 Nm moments and displacement-controlled loading on the C3 superior endplate. The range of motions (ROMs) of surgical and adjacent segments and von Mises stresses on endplates, fixation systems, bone-screw interfaces, and bone grafts were recorded. RESULTS ACDF and ACCF significantly reduced the surgical segmental ROMs to the same extent. ACCF induced much lower stress peaks in the fixation system and bone-screw interfaces and higher stress peaks on the bone graft. ACDF induced much lower stress peaks on the C4 inferior endplate and equivalent stress on the C6 superior endplate. There was no difference in the ROMs of surgical and adjacent segments and the intradiscal stress of adjacent levels between ACDF and ACCF. CONCLUSIONS Both ACDF and ACCF can provide satisfactory spinal stability. ACDF may be beneficial for subsidence resistance due to the lower stress peaks on the endplate. The ACCF may perform better in long-term stability and bone fusion owing to the lower stress peaks in the fixation system and bone-screw interfaces, and higher stress peaks in the bone graft.

Cervical Laminectomy with Lateral Mass Screw Fixation in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: Neurological and Sagittal Alignment Outcome: Do We Need Lateral Mass Screws at each Segment?

BACKGROUND

Anterior cervical decompression and fusion is the standard procedure used for treating patients with cervical myelopathy. However, these procedures are associated with complications such as pseudarthrosis, construct failure, and neurological complications. Posterior cervical laminectomy and instrumentation is an alternative procedure to treat multilevel cervical myelopathy. In this study, we raised questions whether instrumentation is required at all levels and whether stabilizing the spine in neutral or lordotic contour with indirect decompression leads to neurological improvement with radiological evidence of anterior decompression. The results of posterior cervical laminectomy and instrumentation with lateral mass screw in terms of radiological and functional outcome in patients with multilevel cervical myelopathy are prospectively evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study conducted between June 2006 and December 2015, we have evaluated 112 patients with multilevel cervical myelopathy who underwent multilevel cervical laminectomy and instrumentation with lateral mass screw. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with Nurick's grading and Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale for neurological function. Cooper scale and British Medical Research Council grading system for motor function. Curvature index was used to measure the alignment of cervical spine preoperatively and postoperatively. Alignment of the cervical spine was done preoperatively and postoperatively by calculating the curvature index. Axial MRI was used to calculate the severity of compression preoperatively which was calculated as per Singh's criteria and postoperatively to assess the adequacy of decompression at the operated level.

RESULTS

In our study, there were 112 patients including 99 males and 13 females, with mean age of 59.53 years. The mean duration of followup of patients was 33.24 months. In total, cervical laminectomy was performed at 342 levels in 112 patients with an average of 3.05 laminectomies, and in total, 112 lateral mass screws were inserted. On postoperative followup, the mJOA and Nurick's grading showed improvement in all cases as compared to preoperative findings. The mean mJOA improved significantly from 8.56 preoperatively to 13.57 postoperatively (P < 0.001). The mean Nurick's grading also improved significantly from 2.59 preoperatively to 0.66 postoperatively (P < 0.001). The mean Cooper scale also showed significant improvement in both upper and lower limbs postoperatively (P < 0.001). The mean preoperative Cooper scale was 1.75 and postoperative was 0.31 for upper limbs, and the mean Cooper scale was 2.14 preoperatively and 0.56 postoperatively for lower limbs. X-rays done on routine followups showed good alignment of the cervical spine with maintenance of curvature index in all patients. The mean grade of compression as seen on preoperative MRI was 2.46 which reduced significantly postoperatively to 0.16 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The multilevel cervical laminectomy and instrumentation with lateral mass screw for multilevel cervical myelopathy is a safe technique that provides decompression of the spinal cord, prevents the development of kyphotic spinal deformity and posterior tension band of the spinal cord as associated with laminoplasty or uninstrumented laminectomy.

The Change of Range of Motion at Anterior Compression of the Cervical Cord after Laminoplasty in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Objective

Degenerative diseases of the spine, such as cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), are increasing among the old age population, and surgical treatment of CSM is becoming more and more common. The aim of this study was to investigate how functional recovery can be influenced by anterior compression of the spinal cord (ACS) after laminoplasty for treatment of patients with CSM.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 32 patients admitted to Ewha Womans Mok-Dong Hospital with CSM who underwent open-door laminoplasty from January 2012 to December 2014. We divided patients into 2 groups according to whether ACS was or not preoperatively. Each group was analyzed clinical and radiological parameters which were Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and its recovery rate, sagittal alignment and range of motion (ROM).

Results

The mean duration of symptom was 11.2 months (range, 6-22 months). A significant difference in recovery rate of the total JOA score was shown between the 2 groups, especially upper extremity motor function. No difference in preoperative JOA score between the 2 groups, but recovery rate of each group was 20.05%±18.1%, 32.21%±25.4%, statistically significant (p<0.005). Upper motor and sensory function was not significantly different in the 2 groups. Preoperative, postoperative and preservation of ROM was 44.3°±10.1°, 41.8°±15.7°, 87.9%±35.4% each at ACS (-) group. A significant difference in postoperative ROM was identified between ACS (-) and ACS (+) group. Postoperative anterior compression of the spinal cord was recognized 14 cases which were classified from its causes.

Conclusion

Cervical ROM decreased significantly after laminoplasty, but 85.3% of the preoperative ROM was preserved. The postoperative reduction of ROM in group with anterior compression of spinal cord was identified.