Anterior cervical controllable Antedisplacement and Fusion (ACAF) versus Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion (ACCF) for ossification of the cervical posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in Chinese population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to systematically review and compare the efficacy and safety of anterior cervical controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) versus anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) in treating ossification of the cervical posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), focusing on surgery-related indicators and postoperative outcomes. This review was conducted and reported in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting standards. The methodological quality of this systematic review was assessed using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) checklist. A detailed search strategy was implemented to retrieve literature from electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, followed by quality assessment and data extraction for eligible studies. A total of 5 studies involving 366 participants were included. ACAF was associated with significantly fewer complications (OR = 0.25, 95% CI [0.12, 0.51], p = 0.000), including a lower incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage (OR = 0.20, 95% CI [0.08, 0.52], p = 0.000). ACAF also showed better outcomes in postoperative neck disability index (NDI) scores (SMD = -0.48, 95% CI [-0.81, -0.15], p = 0.020), C2-C7 angle (SMD = 1.29, 95% CI [0.56, 2.03], p = 0.000), spinal canal area (SCA) (SMD = 0.93, 95% CI [0.56, 1.29], p = 0.000), and diameter of the spinal cord (DSC) (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI [0.11, 0.66], p = 0.010). Additionally, ACAF improved The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI [0.01, 0.57], p = 0.040) but required longer operation time (SMD = 1.08, 95% CI [0.01, 2.15], p = 0.049). No significant differences were found in blood loss (SMD = 0.23, 95% CI [-0.34, 0.79], p = 0.431), hospital stay (SMD = 0.65, 95% CI [-1.46, 2.76], p = 0.547), and improvement rate (IR) (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI [-0.10, 0.86], p = 0.118). The current meta-analysis indicated that ACAF surgery can effectively reduce the incidence of complications, significantly increase the spinal canal area and improve the spatial conditions of the spinal cord compared to those associated with ACCF surgery. This is more advantageous for the postoperative neurological recovery of patients. Nonetheless, it is crucial to approach these findings with a degree of caution.

Anterior cervical X-shape-corpectomy and fusion vs. anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion for two-level cervical spondylosis.

PURPOSE: Anterior cervical X-shape-corpectomy and fusion (ACXF) is a novel cervical surgery, designed as partial alternative to the classic technique, anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the early-stage outcomes of ACXF in treating two-level cervical spondylosis (CS) through comparisons with ACCF. METHODS: A retrospectively comparative study was conducted in two cohorts of patients who underwent single-vertebral ACXF or ACCF to treat two-level CS during September 2019 and October 2021. Clinical and radiological data of all the patients were collected from pre-operation to 1 year after the surgery, following by intra- and intergroup analyses and comparisons. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included, with 24 undergoing ACXF and 33 undergoing ACCF. ACXF group had significantly shorter drainage duration (2.13 ± 0.61 days vs. 3.48 ± 1.30 days, P < 0.001) and less drainage volume (30.21 ± 26.88 ml vs. 69.30 ± 37.65 ml, P < 0.001) than ACCF group. Both techniques significantly improved all the clinical parameters (P < 0.01) with comparable effects (P > 0.05). Each complication rate in ACXF group was lower than that in ACCF group without significant difference (P > 0.05). ACXF showed a significantly smaller transverse decompression range than ACCF (11.93 ± 1.27 mm vs. 16.29 ± 1.88 mm, P < 0.001). Postoperatively, ACXF yielded a comparable fusion rate (P > 0.05) and a significantly lower subsidence rate (P < 0.01) than ACCF technique at all time points. CONCLUSIONS: ACXF is a potential surgical alternative for certain patients with two-level CS, as it provides both adequate decompression range and fewer adverse events than ACCF. The further modifications on ACXF worth exploration.

A novel cervical vertebral bone quality score can independently predict cage subsidence after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion.

OBJECTIVES: To optimize cervical vertebral bone quality (C-VBQ) score and explore its effectiveness in predicting cage subsidence in Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion (ACCF) and identify a new method for evaluating subsidence without different equipment and image scale interference. METHODS: Collecting demographic, imaging, and surgical related information. Measuring Cage Subsidence with a new method. Multifactorial logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with subsidence. Pearson's correlation was used to determine the relationship between C-VBQ and computed tomography (CT) Hounsfield units (HU). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess C-VBQ predictive ability. Correlations between demographics and C-VBQ scores were analyzed using linear regression models. RESULTS: 92 patients were included in this study, 36 (39.1%) showed subsidence with a C-VBQ value of 2.05 ± 0.45, in the no-subsidence group C-VBQ Value was 3.25 ± 0.76. The multifactorial logistic regression showed that C-VBQ is an independent predictor of cage subsidence with a predictive accuracy of 93.4%. Pearson's correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between C-VBQ and HU values. Linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between C-VBQ and cage subsidence. Univariate analyses showed that only age was associated with C-VBQ. CONCLUSIONS: The C-VBQ values obtained using the new measurements independently predicted postoperative cage subsidence after ACCF and showed a negative correlation with HU values. By adding the measurement of non-operated vertebral heights as a control standard, the results of cage subsidence measured by the ratio method are likely to be more robust, perhaps can exclude unavoidable errors caused by different equipment and proportional.

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion-derived adjacent segment disease managed via channel-repairing anterior endoscopic transcorporeal cervical discectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Management of anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF)-derived adjacent segment disease (ASD) represented a challenge facing the surgeons. METHODS: A 41-year man diagnosed as C3-4 level ASD derived from C5-level ACCF surgery 13 years ago was admitted to the hospital for numbness and pain in the right shoulder and upper limb. Percutaneous full-endoscopic anterior transcorporeal cervical discectomy (PEATCD) was performed, and pre- and postoperative clinical and imaging data were collected. RESULTS: The operation was completed within 70 min, and no clinical or radiological complication was reported. The visual analog scale (VAS) score decreased from preoperative 5 points to postoperative 1 point. Numbness was relieved postoperatively and disappeared completely at postoperative 3 months. Imaging data indicated sufficient spinal cord decompression, good channel repairing and cervical alignment. CONCLUSIONS: Channel-repairing PEATCD was successfully performed to treat ACCF-derived ASD, nevertheless, the long-term efficacy remained tracing and further clinical trials were needed to validate its efficacy.

Myth or fact: 3D-printed off-the-shelf prosthesis is superior to titanium mesh cage in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion?

BACKGROUND: To find out if three-dimensional printing (3DP) off-the-shelf (OTS) prosthesis is superior to titanium mesh cages in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) when treating single-segment degenerative cervical spondylotic myelopathy (DCSM). METHODS: DCSM patients underwent ACCF from January 2016 to January 2019 in a single center were included. Patients were divided into the 3DP group (28) and the TMC group (23). The hospital stays, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and the cost of hospitalization were compared. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were recorded pre-operatively, 1 day, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-operatively. Radiological data was measured to evaluate fusion, subsidence, and cervical lordosis. Patients were sent with SF-36 to assess their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS: The differences in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospital stay were not statistically significant between groups (p > 0.05). Postoperative dysphagia occurred in 2 cases in the 3DP group and 3 cases in the TMC group, which all relieved one week later. The difference in improvement of JOA and NDI between the two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). No hardware failure was found and bony fusion was achieved in all cases except one in the 3DP group. The difference in cervical lordosis (CL), fused segmental angle (FSA), mean vertebral height (MVH), and subsidence rates between groups at each follow-up time point was not statistically significant and the results of the SF-36 were similar (p > 0.05). The total cost was higher in the 3DP group with its higher graft cost (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In treating single-segment DCSM with ACCF, both 3DP OTS prosthesis and TMC achieved satisfactory outcomes. However, the more costly 3DP OTS prosthesis was not able to reduce subsidence as it claimed.

Effect of K­line on posterior cervical surgery versus anterior cervical surgery in patients with multi-level ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of K-line on the outcome of open-door laminoplasty versus anterior cervical corpectomy decompression and fusion (ACCF) for patients with more than two levels of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). METHODS: 60 patients undergoing open-door laminoplasty and 62 patients undergoing ACCF from January 2013 to January 2020 with more than 2 years of follow-up were included. Eighty-four cases with the ossification mass not beyond the K-line were grouped as K-line (+), while thirty-eight cases were grouped as K-line (-). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up JOA scores, and postoperative complications were investigated. RESULTS: The improvement rate of JOA scores after posterior approaches in cases of group K-line (+) and K-line (-) was 72.4% and 53.1%, respectively, which showed a significant difference (P < 0.01). In group K-line (+), the improvement of JOA scores for open-door laminoplasty was 73.4% and 71.8% for ACCF, which showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). In group K-line (-), the improvement of JOA scores for ACCF was 52.1% and 42.9% for open-door laminoplasty, which showed a significant difference (P < 0.05). The incidence of C5 palsy was significantly lower in cases with ACCF than in cases with open-door laminoplasty (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For patients with more than two levels of OPLL, preoperative K-line (+) predicates a better outcome than K-line (-). For cases with K-line (-), ACCF provides better neurologic function recovery. For patients with K-line (+), open-door laminoplasty provides the same neurologic function recovery of ACCF.

[Comparative analysis of the results of anterior decompression-stabilization techniques in the treatment of degenerative stenosis of the cervical spine in elderly patients: a retrospective study.]

The purpose of the study was to compare the clinical and radiological efficacy of 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and 1-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) in the treatment of two-segment degenerative stenosis of the cervical spine in elderly patients. The retrospective study included 74 elderly patients (over 60 years old), two cohorts were identified: the 1st (n=38) - patients who underwent staged 2-level ACDF; the 2nd (n=36) - patients operated on using the technique of 1-level ACCF. For comparative analysis, we used general information about patients (gender, age, body mass index, physical status according to ASA), characteristics of surgical interventions (time of surgery, volume of blood loss), features of the postoperative period, clinical data, radiological outcomes, and the presence of complications. Analysis of the results was carried out in a minimum period of 36 months. As a result, it was found that 2-level ACDF in the treatment of two-segment degenerative stenosis of the cervical spine in older patients is associated with less blood loss and the level of local pain syndrome. At the same time, better clinical outcomes and fewer revision interventions after 1-level ACCF were recorded in the long-term postoperative period.

Ectopic gas in the fibular graft after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic gas in the graft is occasionally encountered upon follow-up computed tomography (CT) after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). However, most cases lack inflammatory responses and manifestations of infection. Although the clinical significance of ectopic gas in the graft has not yet been established, to the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have described ectopic gas in the graft after ACCF. This study evaluated ectopic gas in the fibular graft upon follow-up CT after ACCF. METHODS: We reviewed 112 patients who underwent ACCF and follow-up CT, with a minimum follow-up period of 3 years. CT images were retrospectively reviewed to confirm the presence of ectopic gas in the graft and bone fusion. Bone fusion was defined as follows: mobility less than 2 mm between spinous processes on the flection-extension radiograph or a bone bridge on CT images. RESULTS: Of the 112 patients, 30 (27%) patients had ectopic gas in the fibular grafts. Among them, ectopic gas was initially observed 3 months after surgery (early onset) in 23 (77%) patients and 6 months after surgery (late-onset) in the remaining seven (23%) patients. Upon the latest follow-up CT, ectopic gas more frequently remained in late-onset (4/7, 57%) rather than in early-onset (3/23, 13%) cases (p = 0.033). Bone fusion was not observed when CT images exhibited ectopic gas in the graft, whereas ectopic gas was not observed when CT images exhibited bone fusion. CONCLUSION: Ectopic gas in the fibular graft was observed at both early and late-onset after ACCF; late-onset gas remained significantly. The remaining gas was strongly associated with pseudoarthrosis; therefore, pseudoarthrosis should be considered when ectopic gas in the graft is observed on CT images.

A biomechanical analysis of four anterior cervical techniques to treating multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a finite element study.

BACKGROUND: The decision to treat multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM) remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to compare the biomechanical characteristics of the intervertebral discs at the adjacent segments and internal fixation, and to provide scientific experimental evidence for surgical treatment of MCSM. METHODS: An intact C2-C7 cervical spine model was developed and validated. Four additional models were developed from the fusion model, including multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (mACDF), anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF), hybrid decompression and fusion (HDF), and mACDF with cage alone (mACDF-CA). Biomechanical characteristics on the plate and the disc of adjacent levels (C2/3, C6/7) were comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: Of the four models, stress on the upper (C2/3) adjacent intervertebral disc was the lowest in the mACDF-CA group and highest in the ACCF group. Stress on the intervertebral discs at adjacent segments was higher for the upper C2/3 than the lower C6/7 intervertebral disc. In all models, the mACDF-CA group had the lowest stress on the intervertebral disc, while the ACCF group had the highest stress. In the three surgical models with titanium plate fixation (mACDF, ACCF, and HDF), the ACCF group had the highest stress at the titanium plate-screw interface, while the mACDF group had the lowest stress. CONCLUSION: Among the four anterior cervical reconstructive techniques for MCSM, mACDF-CA makes little effect on the adjacent disc stress, which might reduce the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after fusion. However, the accompanying risk of the increased incidence of cage subsidence should never be neglected.

Risk factors for subsidence of titanium mesh cage following single-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion.

BACKGROUND: To clarify the risk factors for subsidence of titanium mesh cage (TMC) following single-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) to reduce subsidence. METHODS: The present retrospective cohort study included 73 consecutive patients who underwent single-level ACCF. Patients were divided into subsidence (n = 31) and non-subsidence groups (n = 42). Medical records and radiological parameters such as age, sex, operation level, segmental angle (SA), cervical sagittal angle (CSA), height of anterior (HAE) and posterior endplate (HPE), ratio of anterior (RAE) and posterior endplate (RPE), the alignment of TMC, the global cervical Hounsfield Units (HU) were analyzed. Clinical results were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: Subsidence occurred in 31 of 73 (42.5%) patients. Comparison between the groups showed significant differences in the value of RAE, the alignment of TMC and the global cervical HU value (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, RAE > 1.18 (OR = 6.116, 95%CI = 1.613-23.192, p = 0.008), alignment of TMC > 3° (OR = 5.355, 95%CI = 1.474-19.454, p = 0.011) and the global cervical HU value< 333 (OR = 11.238, 95%CI = 2.844-44.413, p = 0.001) were independently associated with subsidence. Linear regression analysis revealed that RAE is significantly positive related to the extent of subsidence (r = - 0.502, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the value of RAE more than 1.18, alignment of TMC and poor bone mineral density are the risk factors for subsidence. TMC subsidence does not negatively affect the clinical outcomes after operation. Avoiding over expansion of intervertebral height, optimizing placing of TMC and initiation of anti-osteoporosis treatments 6 months prior to surgery might help surgeons to reduce subsidence after ACCF.

Patterns of short-term and long-term surgical outcomes and prognostic factors for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament between anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion and posterior laminoplasty.

To compare short-term and long-term surgical outcome patterns between anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) and laminoplasty (LP) in patients diagnosed with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and identify factors affecting surgical outcomes based on follow-up duration. During short-term follow-up period, surgical outcomes between ACCF and LP were similar. However, there were several reports that long-term surgical outcomes were superior in the ACCF compared with LP. Surgical outcomes between ACCF and LP according to follow-up period changed. This study enrolled 70 patients who underwent ACCF and 63 patients who underwent LP between 2005 and 2012. Patterns of surgical outcomes were analyzed in accordance with surgical procedures. Furthermore, these patients were divided into two subgroups in respect of follow-up duration: the short-term group (less than 48 months) and the long-term group (more than 48 months) group. Occupying ratio, type of OPLL, shape of ossified lesion, cervical sagittal alignment, grade of signal intensity on MRI, and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were examined. Surgical outcomes of ACCF went into reverse at 48-month follow-up period. In the short-term group, JOA recovery rate had no difference between ACCF and LP. In the long-term group, the ACCF recovery rate (78.5 ± 31.0) was significantly higher than the LP recovery rate (48.4 ± 54.9) (P = 0.008). In the short-term group, old age (p = 0.011), hill shape (p = 0.013), and high grade of MRI signal intensity (p = 0.040) had negative effects on recovery rate. On the other hand, in the long-term group, LP (p = 0.021) and a high grade of MR signal intensity (p = 0.017) independently and negatively affected recovery rate. Long-term surgical outcomes of ACCF became better than those of LP at more than 48-month follow-up period. High-grade MRI signal changes and the LP surgical procedure were independent negative factors for long-term surgical outcomes in patients with OPLL. Direct decompression of the spinal cord with ACCF provides better long-term stable neurologic outcomes than LP.

Anterior cervical spine surgery for the treatment of subaxial cervical spondylodiscitis: a report of 30 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVEInfection of the cervical spine is a rare disease but is associated with significant risk of neurological deterioration, morbidity, and a poor response to nonsurgical management. The ideal treatment for cervical spondylodiscitis (CSD) remains unclear.METHODSHospital records of patients who underwent acute surgical management for CSD were reviewed. Information about preoperative neurological status, surgical treatment, peri- and postoperative processes, antibiotic treatment, repeated procedure, and neurological status at follow-up examination were analyzed.RESULTSA total of 30 consecutive patients (17 male and 13 female) were included in this retrospective study. The mean age at procedures was 68.1 years (range 50-82 years), with mean of 6 coexisting comorbidities. Preoperatively neck pain was noted in 21 patients (70.0%), arm pain in 12 (40.0%), a paresis in 12 (40.0%), sensory deficit in 8 (26.7%), tetraparesis in 6 (20%), a septicemia in 4 (13.3%). Preoperative MRI scan revealed a CSD in one-level fusion in 21 patients (70.0%), in two-level fusions in 7 patients (23.3%), and in three-level fusions in 2 patients (6.7%). In 16 patients an antibiotic treatment was initiated prior to surgical treatment. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with cervical plating (ACDF+CP) was performed in 17 patients and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) in 12 patients. Additional posterior decompression was performed in one case of ACDF+CP and additional posterior fixation in ten cases of ACCF procedures. Three patients died due to multiple organ failure (10%). Revision surgery was performed in 6 patients (20.7%) within the first 2 weeks postoperatively. All patients received antibiotic treatment for 6 weeks. At the first follow-up (mean 3 month) no recurrent infection was detected on blood workup and MRI scans. At final follow-up (mean 18 month), all patients reported improvement of neck pain, all but one patients were free of radicular pain and had no sensory deficits, and all patients showed improvement of motor strength. One patient with preoperative tetraparesis was able to ambulate.CONCLUSIONSCSD is a disease that is associated with severe neurological deterioration. Anterior cervical surgery with radical debridement and appropriate antibiotic treatment achieves complete healing. Anterior cervical plating with the use of polyetheretherketone cages has no negative effect of the healing process. Posterior fixation is recommended following ACCF procedures.

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion versus posterior laminoplasty for the treatment of oppressive myelopathy owing to cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to compare the clinical efficacy, postoperative complication and surgical trauma between anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion versus posterior laminoplasty for the treatment of oppressive myelopathy owing to cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: An comprehensive search of literature was implemented in three electronic databases (Embase, Pubmed, and the Cochrane library). Randomized or non-randomized controlled studies published since January 1990 to July 2017 that compared anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) versus posterior laminoplasty (LAMP) for the treatment of cervical oppressive myelopathy owing to OPLL were acquired. Exclusion criteria were non-human studies, non-controlled studies, combined anterior and posterior operative approach, the other anterior or posterior approaches involving cervical discectomy and fusion and laminectomy with (or without) instrumented fusion, revision surgeries, and cervical myelopathy caused by cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The quality of the included articles was evaluated according to GRADE. The main outcome measures included: preoperative and postoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score; neuro-functional recovery rate; complication rate; reoperation rate; preoperative and postoperative C2-C7 Cobb angle; operation time and intraoperative blood loss; and subgroup analysis was performed according to the mean preoperative canal occupying ratio (Subgroup A:the mean preoperative canal occupying ratio < 60%, and Subgroup B:the mean preoperative canal occupying ratio ≥ 60%). RESULTS: A total of 10 studies containing 735 patients were included in this meta-analysis. And all of the selected studies were non-randomized controlled trials with relatively low quality as assessed by GRADE. The results revealed that there was no obvious statistical difference in preoperative JOA score between the ACCF and LAMP groups in both subgroups. Also, in subgroup A (the mean preoperative canal occupying ratio < 60%), no obvious statistical difference was observed in the postoperative JOA score and neurofunctional recovery rate between the ACCF and LAMP groups. But, in subgroup B (the mean preoperative canal occupying ratio ≥ 60%), the ACCF group illustrated obviously higher postoperative JOA score and neurofunctional recovery rate than the LAMP group (P < 0.01, WMD 1.89 [1.50, 2.28] and P < 0.01, WMD 24.40 [20.10, 28.70], respectively). Moreover, the incidence of both complication and reoperation was markedly higher in the ACCF group compared with LAMP group (P < 0.05, OR 1.76 [1.05, 2.97] and P < 0.05, OR 4.63 [1.86, 11.52], respectively). In addition, the preoperative cervical C2-C7 Cobb angle was obviously larger in the LAMP group compared with ACCF group (P < 0.05, WMD - 5.77 [- 9.70, - 1.84]). But no statistically obvious difference was detected in the postoperative cervical C2-C7 Cobb angle between the two groups. Furthermore, the ACCF group showed significantly more operation time as well as blood loss compared with LAMP group (P < 0.01, WMD 111.43 [40.32,182.54], and P < 0.01, WMD 111.32 [61.22, 161.42], respectively). CONCLUSION: In summary, when the preoperative canal occupying ratio < 60%, no palpable difference was tested in postoperative JOA score and neurofunctional recovery rate. But, when the preoperative canal occupying ratio ≥ 60% ACCF was associated with better postoperative JOA score and the recovery rate of neurological function compared with LAMP. Synchronously, ACCF in the cure for cervical myelopathy owing to OPLL led to more surgical trauma and more incidence of complication and reoperation. On the other hand, LAMP had gone a diminished postoperative C2-C7 Cobb angle, that might be a cause of relatively higher incidence of postoperative late neurofunctional deterioration. In brief, when the preoperative canal occupying ratio < 60%, LAMP seems to be effective and safe. However, when the preoperative canal occupying ratio ≥ 60%, we prefer to choose ACCF while complications could be controlled by careful manipulation and advanced surgical techniques. No matter which option you choose, benefits and risks ought to be balanced.

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion versus discectomy and fusion for the treatment of two-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy: analysis of sagittal balance and axial symptoms.

PURPOSE: To compare the postoperative sagittal balance and occurrence of axial symptoms between anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of two-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). METHODS: A total of 71 consecutive patients who underwent ACCF or ACDF for two-level CSM in our institution from January 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 30 (17 males, 13 females) were subjected to ACCF, and 41 (20 males, 21 females) were treated with ACDF. Perioperative data, radiographic parameters, clinical outcomes, and axial symptom occurrence were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The average follow-up durations were 13.7 ± 3.9 months in the ACCF group and 13.4 ± 3.3 months in the ACDF group. The volume of blood loss was significantly lower in the ACDF group than in the ACCF group, and the operation time of the former was significantly shorter than that of the latter. The postoperative global lordotic angle and T1 slope were significantly larger in the ACCF group than in the ACDF group in each follow-up. The occurrence of postoperative axial symptoms was significantly lower in the ACDF group than in the ACCF group. CONCLUSION: The volume of blood loss was lower and the operation time was shorter in ACDF than in ACCF for the treatment of two-level CSM. Sagittal balance was better in the ACDF group than in the ACCF group, and this observation may lead to a reduced occurrence of axial symptoms.

Treating multi-level cervical disc disease with hybrid surgery compared to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The traditional surgical approach to treat multi-level cervical disc disease (mCDD) has been anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). There has been recent development of other surgical approaches to further improve clinical outcomes. Collectively, when elements of these different approaches are combined in surgery, it is known as hybrid surgery (HS) which remains a novel treatment option. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare the outcomes of HS versus ACDF for the treatment of mCDD. METHODS: Relevant articles were identified from six electronic databases from their inception to January 2016. RESULTS: From 8 relevant studies identified, 169 patients undergoing HS were compared with 193 ACDF procedures. Operative time was greater after HS by 42 min (p < 0.00001), with less intraoperative blood loss by 26 mL (p < 0.00001) and shorter return to work by 32 days (p < 0.00001). In terms of clinical outcomes, HS was associated with greater C2-C7 range of motion (ROM) preservation (p < 0.00001) and less functional impairment (p = 0.008) after surgery compared to ACDF. There was no significant difference between HS and ACDF with respect to postoperative pain (p = 0.12). The postoperative course following HS was not significantly different to ACDF in terms of length of stay (p = 0.24) and postoperative complication rates (p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: HS is a novel surgical approach to treat mCDD, associated with a greater operative time, less intraoperative blood loss and comparable if not superior clinical outcomes compared to ACDF. While it remains a viable consideration, there is a lack of robust clinical evidence in the literature. Future large prospective registries and randomised trials are warranted to validate the findings of this study.

Relationship between screw sagittal angle and stress on endplate of adjacent segments after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion with internal fixation: a Chinese finite element study.

BACKGROUND: In order to reduce the incidence of adjacent segment disease (ASD), the current study was designed to establish Chinese finite element models of normal 3rd~7th cervical vertebrae (C3-C7) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) with internal fixation , and analyze the influence of screw sagittal angle (SSA) on stress on endplate of adjacent cervical segments. METHODS: Mimics 8.1 and Abaqus/CAE 6.10 softwares were adopted to establish finite element models. RESULTS: For C4 superior endplate and C6 inferior endplate, their anterior areas had the maximum stress in anteflexion position, and their posterior areas had the maximum stress in posterior extension position. As SSA increased, the stress reduced. With an increase of 10° in SSA, the stress on anterior areas of C4 superior endplate and C6 inferior endplate reduced by 12.67% and 7.99% in anteflexion position, respectively. With an increase of 10° in SSA, the stress on posterior areas of C4 superior endplate and C6 inferior endplate reduced by 9.68% and 10.22% in posterior extension position, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current study established Chinese finite element models of normal C3-C7 and ACCF with internal fixation , and demonstrated that as SSA increased, the stress on endplate of adjacent cervical segments decreased. In clinical surgery, increased SSA is able to play important role in protecting the adjacent cervical segments and reducing the incidence of ASD.

Anterior discectomy could still be an alternative to corpectomy in highly migrated cervical disc herniation.

OBJECTIVE: For cases of cervical disc herniation, highly migrated cervical disc (HMCD) is clinically rare and usually treated with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). This study aims to analyze the feasibility of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the patients with HMCD. METHOD: Clinical data of 32 patients with HMCD treated with ACDF or ACCF were retrospectively reviewed. Migration distances of the disc prolapses were measured. The mJOA score was used to evaluate surgical effect. RESULTS: ACDF was successful in 27 patients while ACCF was used for the remaining 5 because of epidural disc prolapse adhesion or unreachable migrated fragments. Complete spinal cord decompression without residual disc fragments was observed in postoperative MRI of all cases. The mean migration distance of the disc prolapses in ACDF group was 7.3 mm, comparing to 11.4 mm in ACCF group. No disc prolapse in ACDF group exceeded the axial length of the vertebral bodies while three of five in ACCF group did. Preoperative mean mJOA scores in ACDF group and ACCF group were 8.20 ± 2.75 and 6.10 ± 2.15, respectively. Postoperative mean mJOA scores in those two groups were significantly improved to 14.70 ± 1.55 (p < .001) and 12.80 ± 1.72 (p < .001), with an improvement rate of 72.80 ± 4.76% and 62.90 ± 9.46%, respectively. CONCLUSION: ACDF is feasible for patients with HMCD except for cases of epidural disc prolapse adhesion or huge disc prolapse which migrates over the axial length of the vertebral body. Clinical symptoms can be significantly improved with few serious complications in those patients including ones underwent alternative ACCF due to a failed ACDF.

The Association between High Preoperative MRI-based Vertebral Bone Quality (VBQ) Score and Titanium Mesh Cage Subsidence after Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, the MRI-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score has been shown to correlate with Hounsfeld units (HU) value, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) T-score and predict osteoporotic fractures. Preoperative cervical HU value is an independent correlative factor for early titanium mesh cage (TMC) subsidence after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). However, to date the direct association between cervical VBQ score and TMC subsidence has not been studied. This study aims to investigate the predictive effect of cervical VBQ score derived from sagittal non-contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI on the early TMC subsidence after ACCF. METHODS: Patients who underwent one-level ACCF from January 2016 to January 2020 were included. We retrospectively collected baseline data on age, sex, body mass index (BMI), disease type, level of surgery and radiology parameters. The cervical VBQ score was measured using preoperative non-contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to screen the independent risk factors of TMC subsidence. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were performed to assess the predictive ability of TMC subsidence based on the cervical VBQ score. Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlations between the cervical VBQ score and TMC subsidence. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients who underwent one-level ACCF were included in this study, and 46 (34.33%) patients had TMC subsidence. Univariable analyses demonstrated that the age, TMC placement depth and VBQ score were associated with subsidence. The cervical VBQ score in the subsidence group was significantly higher than that in the no subsidence group (3.75 ± 0.45 vs. 3.20 ± 0.42, p < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis proved that the higher VBQ score (odds ratio[OR] = 13.563, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.968 - 37.031, p < 0.001) was the only variable that significantly predicted subsidence. Using a VBQ score cutoff value of 3.445, the cervical VBQ score yielded a sensitivity of 69.6% and a specificity of 85.2% with an AUC of 0.810 to differentiate patients with subsidence and with no subsidence. CONCLUSION: Preoperative higher cervical VBQ score is an independent risk factor for TMC subsidence after ACCF. The cervical VBQ score may be a valuable tool for assisting in distinguishing the presence of TMC subsidence.

Does Preoperative Radiation Therapy Performed for Metastatic Spine Cancer at the Cervical Spine Increase Perioperative Complications of Anterior Cervical Surgery?

Background: Radiation therapy (RT) performed before anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) may cause fascial plane fibrosis, decreased soft-tissue vascularity, and vertebral body weakness, which could increase the risk of esophageal and major vessel injuries, wound complications, and construct subsidence. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether preoperative RT performed for metastatic spine cancer (MSC) at the cervical spine increases perioperative morbidity for ACSS. Methods: Forty-nine patients who underwent ACSS for treatment of MSC at the cervical spine were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients underwent anterior cervical corpectomy via the anterior approach. Patient demographics, surgical factors, operative factors, and complications were recorded. Results of patients who were initially treated with RT before ACSS (RT group) were compared with those who did not receive RT before ACSS (non-RT group). Results: Eighteen patients (36.7%) were included in the RT group, while the remaining 31 (63.3%) were included in the non-RT group. Surgery-related factors, including operation time (p = 0.109), estimated blood loss (p = 0.246), amount of postoperative drainage (p = 0.604), number of levels operated (p = 0.207), and number of patients who underwent combined posterior fusion (p = 0.768), did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. Complication rates, including esophageal injury, dural tear, infection, wound dehiscence, and mechanical failure, did not significantly differ between the RT and non-RT groups. Early subsidence was significantly greater in the non-RT group compared to that in the RT group (p = 0.012). Conclusions: RT performed before surgery for MSC does not increase the risk of wound complication, mechanical failure, or vital structure injury during ACSS. The surgical procedural approach was not complicated by previous RT history. Therefore, surgeons can safely choose the anterior approach when the number of levels or location of MSC favors anterior surgery, and performing a posterior surgery is unnecessary due to a concern that previous RT may increase complication rates of ACSS.

Risk factors for early subsidence of 3D Printed Artificial vertebral after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion.

OBJECTIVE: The subsidence of vertebral body replacement may occur after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) , which may lead to cervical kyphosis, spinal cord compression and neurological dysfunction. The authors aim to investigate the risk factors for early subsidence of 3D printed artificial vertebral (3D-PAVB) after ACCF surgery and to provide guidance for clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of consecutive patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent ACCF surgery at Bethune Hospital of Shanxi from 2017 to 2020. The statistical data included age, gender, disease type, body mass index (BMI), surgical segment, vertebral height, Cobb Angle, and Hounsfeld Units (HU) values of the vertebral body and endplate. The clinical efficacy of the surgery was evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Follow-up data, such as VAS, JOA, NDI, and Cobb Angle, were obtained using a repeated-measures ANOVA analysis. Univariate analysis was conducted to identify the factors contributing to the early subsidence of the3D-PAVB, and independent risk factors were determined using logistic regression. The HU value was analyzed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the Area Under Curve (AUC) to predict the subsidence of the 3D-PAVB. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were included in the study, out of which 19 patients experienced subsidence of 3D-PAVB,resulting in an incidence rate of 28.8%. The postoperative JOA, VAS, and NDI scores showed significant improvement in both the subsidence and non-subsidence groups. Upon conducting univariate analysis, significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, diabetes, smoking, and lower vertebral Computed Tomography (CT) values. The average HU value of the subsidence group (251.39±52.615, n=19) was significantly lower than that of the non-subsidence group (317.06±73.587, n=47, p＜0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that smoking and HU of the lower vertebra were independent risk factors for 3D-PAVB subsidence, with an AUC of 0.772 and an optimal threshold of 272 for HU (sensitivity 78.9%, specificity 74.5%). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of early subsidence of 3D-PAVB post ACCF surgery is influenced by two independent risk factors - smoking and low HU. To predict the likelihood of this outcome, it is advisable to consider smoking history and measure CT HU value prior to surgery. A lower CT HU value is indicative of a greater risk of subsidence.