Long-term Radiologic and Clinical Outcomes after Three-level Contiguous Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion without Plating: A Multicentric Retrospective Study

Author(s):  
Luca Ricciardi ◽  
Alba Scerrati ◽  
Pasquale De Bonis ◽  
Massimo Miscusi ◽  
Sokol Trungu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been providing good surgical, clinical, and radiologic outcomes in patients suffering from cervical degenerative disk disease (DDD). However, the role of anterior plating is still debated, especially in three-level procedures. This study aimed to investigate long-term clinical and radiologic outcomes and complications after three-level contiguous ACDF without plating for cervical DDD. Methods Two institutional databases were retrieved (January 2009–December 2014) for patients treated with three-level contiguous ACDF without plating. Minimum follow-up (FU) was 5 years. Demographical data, smoking status, implant types, Neck Disability Index (NDI), visual analog scale (VAS) for neck pain, complications, fusion rate, adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), cervical lordosis (CL), and residual segmental mobility were evaluated. Results We enrolled 21 patients. Tantalum and carbon fiber cages were implanted, respectively, in 13 and 8 patients. The mean FU length was 5.76 ± 0.87 years. Mean NDI score was 78.29 ± 9.98% preoperatively and 8.29 ± 1.67% at last FU (p < 0.01), whereas mean VAS score decreased from 7.43 ± 1.14 preoperatively to 0.95 ± 0.95 at last FU (p < 0.01). Complications were one postoperative hematoma, one superficial wound infection, and five cases of postoperative dysphagia (recovered within 3 days). The fusion rate was 90% and ASD was reported in three (14%) cases. The mean CL was 6.33 ± 2.70 degrees preoperatively, 8.19 ± 1.97 degrees 3 months after surgery (p = 0.02), and 7.62 ± 1.96 degrees at latest FU. There was no residual mobility on every operated segment at last FU. The smoking status was an independent risk factor for nonfusion in this case series (p = 0.02). Conclusions Three-level contiguous ACDF without plating seems to be an effective treatment for cervical DDD. Properly designed comparative clinical trials are needed to further investigate this topic.

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Brenke ◽  
Johann Scharf ◽  
Kirsten Schmieder ◽  
Martin Barth

Object Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has been increasingly used for the treatment of cervical disc herniations. However, the impact of CDA on adjacent-segment degeneration and the degree of heterotopic ossification (HO) of the treated segment remain a subject of controversy. Due to a product failure of the Galileo-type disc prosthesis, 22 of these devices were explanted. The radiological and clinical course in each case was investigated in detail with an emphasis on the incidence of HO and facet joint degeneration 18 months following the operation. Intraoperative findings regarding ossification and implant fixation were documented. Thus, the authors were able to describe the true rate of adjacent-segment degeneration and HO following CDA and the clinical relevance thereof. Methods In all 22 patients, functional radiographic imaging was performed prior to surgery, 3 and 12 months after surgery, and prior to disc prosthesis explantation. At all time points, the range of motion (ROM) in the operated and adjacent segments was determined. A motion index was calculated using the preoperative and all postoperative ROMs (preoperative ROM/postoperative ROM). Computed tomography was used preoperatively to measure the height of the index segment, extent of HO, and the degree of the progression of facet arthrosis, and was used postoperatively prior to prosthesis explantation. Patients completed clinical questionnaires that included a visual analog scale and the Neck Disability Index. Results The motion index of the index segment declined gradually from 1.4 at 3 months postoperative to 1.2 prior to explantation, while the motion index of the adjacent upper segment increased from 0.9 to 1.3. The mean ROM of the index segment was 10.4° ± 6.7°, and fusion was observed in 2 (9%) of the 22 patients. Prosthesis migration was present in 3 patients (13.6%). Severe HO (Grades 3 and 4) was present in 17.4%. Computed tomography showed a significant increase of segmental height of the index segment (1.6 ± 1.1 mm, p = 0.035), and a significant increase of left-sided lateral osteophytes (1.7 ± 2.1 mm, p = 0.009). The incidence of severe osteophyte formation (> 2 mm) occurred in 40%. Intraoperative findings reflected the results from CT, with primary lateral proliferation of osteophytes found in approximately 25% of patients. The mean visual analog scale scores were 3.8 ± 2.7 (neck) and 2.4 ± 2.5 (arms), and the mean Neck Disability Index score was 30 ± 22. No correlation was found between radiological and clinical parameters. Conclusions In this study, a higher incidence of HO after CDA could be demonstrated using CT, compared with studies using fluoroscopy only. However, patient selection and/or the operative technique might have contributed to the high prevalence of osteophyte formation. Thus, the exact indication for CDA has to be reconsidered. Because implant migration was detected, using fixation in the present CDA model appears suboptimal.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Liang ◽  
Shuai Xu ◽  
Guanjie Yu ◽  
Zhenqi Zhu ◽  
Haiying Liu

Abstract Purpose: To identify the importance of sagittal alignment with self-locked stand-alone cage (SSC) and anterior cage-with-plate (ACP) system after 3-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) on cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) after minimal 5-year follow-up.Methods: 38 patients with SSC system (SSC group) and 26 with ACP system (ACP group) from February 2007 to September 2013 were enrolled. Cervical alignment were C2-7 lordosis (CL), operated-segment CL (OPCL), upper and lower adjacent-segment CL (UCL and LCL) at preoperation (POP), immediate postoperation (IPO) and final follow-up (FFU). Clinical outcomes contained the neck disability index (NDI), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). Patients were divides into CL improved subgroup (IM subgroup) and non-improved subgroup (NIM subgroup).Results: There were improvements on CL and OPCL in both groups. The change of CL and OPCL larger in ACP group (P<0.05) but UAL and LAL were of no significance. NDI and JOA got improvement in both groups at IPO and FFU while ASD was in no difference between SSC and ACP. A total of 40 patients (18 vs 22) acquired CL improvement with a larger population in ACP group. There were no differences on the rate if ASD, NDI, JOA and their change between IM and NIM subgroup and the change of CL were not correlated with NDI, JOA and their change.Conclusion: SSC and ACP both provide long-term efficacy on OPCL correction with little impact on adjacent segment. The improvement of CL after three-level ACDF seems not so essential.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
Saeed Hamidi ◽  
Neda Fahimi ◽  
Ehsan Jangholi ◽  
Mohammad Ali Fahimi ◽  
Ali Farshad ◽  
...  

Background: Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is an effective treatment for disc herniations; but some studies demonstrated that in the untreated levels adjacent to a fusion, increased motion might lead to an increased risk of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). On the other hand, methods of cervical Disc Arthroplasty (CDA) have improved. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the rate of ASD in patients who underwent ACDF or CDA cervical spine surgery.Methods and Materials: This prospective study was performed on 84 patients with cervical radiculopathy due to single-level disc herniation referred to hospitals in Tehran, Iran from June 2011 to December 2012. All subjects were randomly allocated to Group A or Group B to undergo ACDF or CDA, respectively. The validated Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire was used to assess the cervical neck pain.Results: The mean of age in Group A was 51.7 ± 9.1 years and in Group B was 49.3 ±9.2. The differences in cervical radiculopathy in the two groups were not statistically significant. The difference in mean Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score in the two groups at each assessment time was statistically significant. Mean NDI score before the surgery was 46.9 ± 6.1 in group A, and 41.3 ±4.7 in group B. The mean NDI score improved significantly in group B. Twenty-seven of the patients in Group A experienced ASD at 12 months compared to one patient (2.3%) in Group B (p<0.05).Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, CDA leads to reduced VAS and NDI score compared to ACDF. Also increased ASD in ACDF was demonstrated when compared with CDA after 1-year follow-up.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 549-557
Author(s):  
Malia McAvoy ◽  
Heather J. McCrea ◽  
Vamsidhar Chavakula ◽  
Hoon Choi ◽  
Wenya Linda Bi ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEFew studies describe long-term functional outcomes of pediatric patients who have undergone lumbar microdiscectomy (LMD) because of the rarity of pediatric disc herniation and the short follow-up periods. The authors analyzed risk factors, clinical presentation, complications, and functional outcomes of a single-institution series of LMD patients over a 19-year period.METHODSA retrospective case series was conducted of pediatric LMD patients at a large pediatric academic hospital from 1998 to 2017. The authors examined premorbid risk factors, clinical presentation, physical examination findings, type and duration of conservative management, indications for surgical intervention, complications, and postoperative outcomes.RESULTSOver the 19-year study period, 199 patients underwent LMD at the authors’ institution. The mean age at presentation was 16.0 years (range 12–18 years), and 55.8% were female. Of these patients, 70.9% participated in competitive sports, and among those who did not play sports, 65.0% had a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. Prior to surgery, conservative management had failed in 98.0% of the patients. Only 3 patients (1.5%) presented with cauda equina syndrome requiring emergent microdiscectomy. Complications included 4 cases of postoperative CSF leak (2.0%), 1 case of a noted intraoperative CSF leak, and 3 cases of wound infection (1.5%). At the first postoperative follow-up appointment, minimal or no pain was reported by 93.3% of patients. The mean time to return to sports was 9.8 weeks. During a mean follow-up duration of 8.2 years, 72.9% of patients did not present again after routine postoperative appointments. The total risk of reoperation was a rate of 7.5% (3.5% of patients underwent reoperation for the same level; 4.5% underwent adjacent-level decompression, and one patient [0.5%] ultimately underwent a fusion).CONCLUSIONSMicrodiscectomy is a safe and effective treatment for long-term relief of pain and return to daily activities among pediatric patients with symptomatic lumbar disc disease in whom conservative management has failed.


Author(s):  
Manoochehr Ghorbanpour ◽  
Mohammad Ali Seyfrabie ◽  
Babak Yousefi

Objective. Patients undergoing Soave surgery for Hirschsprung's disease are at risk for some complications. The aim of this study was to investigate such short-term and long-term complications and evaluate the outcome of the operation in these patients. Methods. A case series study was carried out during the last 12 years, during 2007 to 2018 in Besat hospital of Hamadan. Data collection conducted using a checklist includes questions about demographic information, clinical features, and short-term and long-term complications, and consequences of post-operative surgery. The findings of the study were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 and appropriate statistical tests. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. A total of 55 children underwent Soave surgery during the last 12 years in Besat Hospital Hamadan, Iran. The mean age of the patients was 38±10 days during surgery, of which 56.4% were female. The mean hospital stay was 7.3 days. Also, the mean weight of children at birth was 2970±447 gr. Most of the patients were born as NVD (52.7%) and term (74.5%). The most common comorbidity was congenital heart disease. The most common short-term complication was intestinal obstruction in 14 patients (25.5%) and the most frequent long-term complication was intestinal obstruction and constipation (27.3% each cases). The mortality rate of patients in this study was 14.5% in total. Conclusions. One stage surgical procedure in Hirschsprung's disease is a safe and effective method, but care should be taken in choosing patients and patients should be monitored for possible complications, so that they can be considered and implemented for proper treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Patella ◽  
Alessandro Comi ◽  
Giuseppe Coppolino ◽  
Nicolino Comi ◽  
Giorgio Fuiano ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims Steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) may require a prolonged multi-drug therapy with risk of drug toxicity and renal failure. Rituximab (RTX) treatment has been found to be helpful in reducing the steroid dosage and the need for immunosuppressants (ISs), but little data are currently available regarding very long-term outcomes in adults. We herein describe a long-term, single-center experience of RTX use in a large series of adults with SDNS. Method We studied 23 adult patients with SDNS (mean age 54.2±17.1 y; 65% male; BMI 28.5±4.7), mostly consequent to membranous (47.8%) or focal glomerulonephritis (30.2 %) who were eligible to start a RTX regimen. Before entering the RTX protocol, proteinuria and eGFR were 7.06±3.87 g/24h and 65.9±28.2 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively; albumin and CD19/CD20 ratio were 2.9±0.9 g/L and 0.99±0.01 respectively; the mean number of ISs was 2.39±0.89 and the mean annual rate of relapses was 2.2±0.9. Results Patients were followed over a mean follow-up of 64 months (range: 12-144). After RTX (mean dose: 1202.1±372.4 mg) the rate of relapses was virtually nullified (p&lt;0.001). eGFR remained roughly stable (62.1±19.8 ml/min/1.73 m2, p=NS), while proteinuria, albumin, CD19/CD20 and BMI all significantly improved (p ranging from 0.01 to 0.001). The mean number of additional ISs was also reduced (0.44±0.12; p&lt;0.001) and RTX enabled discontinuation of steroids in 13/23 (56.5%) patients. No major adverse events related to therapy were recorded. Conclusion Findings from this large case-series with a remarkable very long follow-up reinforce the role of RTX as an efficient and safe weapon to improve outcomes in adult patients suffering from SDNS.


Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (12) ◽  
pp. 684
Author(s):  
Satoshi Baba ◽  
Ryutaro Shiboi ◽  
Jyunichi Yokosuka ◽  
Yasushi Oshima ◽  
Yuichi Takano ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a relatively common cause of thoracic myelopathy. Surgical treatment is recommended for patients with myelopathy. Generally, open posterior decompression, with or without fusion, is selected to treat OLF. We performed minimally invasive posterior decompression using a microendoscope and investigated the efficacy of this approach in treating limited type of thoracic OLF. Materials and Methods: Microendoscopic posterior decompression was performed for 19 patients (15 men and four women) with thoracic OLF with myelopathy aged between 35 to 81 years (mean age, 61.9 years). Neurological examination and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) were used to identify the location and morphology of OLF. The surgery was performed using a midline approach or a unilateral paramedian approach depending on whether the surgeon used a combination of a tubular retractor and endoscope. The numerical rating scale (NRS) and modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scores were compared pre- and postoperatively. Perioperative complications and the presence of other spine surgeries before and after thoracic OLF surgery were also investigated. Results: Four midline and 15 unilateral paramedian approaches were performed. The average operative time per level was 99 min, with minor blood loss. Nine patients had a history of cervical or lumbar spine surgery before or after thoracic spine surgery. The mean pre- and postoperative NRS scores were 6.6 and 5.3, respectively. The mean recovery rate as per the mJOA score was 33.1% (mean follow-up period, 17.8 months), the recovery rates were significantly different between patients who underwent thoracic spine surgery alone (50.5%) and patients who underwent additional spine surgeries (13.7%). Regarding adverse events, one patient experienced dural tear, another experienced postoperative hematoma, and one other underwent reoperation for adjacent thoracic stenosis. Conclusion: Microendoscopic posterior decompression was applicable in limited type of thoracic OLF surgery including beak-shaped type and multi vertebral levels. However, whole spine evaluation is important to avoid missing other combined stenoses that may affect outcomes.


2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveen V. Mummaneni ◽  
Regis W. Haid

✓ In the past 50 years tremendous advances have been made in the treatment of cervical disc disease with cervical fusion. Fusion rates have surpassed 95% after application of anterior cervical implants. Adjacent-segment degeneration, however, has plagued the long-term clinical success of cervical fusion. Cervical arthroplasty has been introduced to maintain cervical motion and potentially avoid or minimize adjacent-segment degeneration. If cervical arthroplasty is successful, the long-term results of surgery for cervical disc disease may improve; however, there are associated drawbacks that must be overcome. Implant wear, fatigue, and failure have been reported in cases of large-joint arthroplasty, and research is underway to limit these problems in cervical arthroplasty. In this article the authors trace the evolution of cervical fusion and the new technique of cervical arthroplasty. The nomenclature of cervical arthroplasty will also be introduced.


2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Burton Wood ◽  
Robert Yawn ◽  
Anne Sun Lowery ◽  
Brendan P. O’Connell ◽  
David Haynes ◽  
...  

Objective(1) Characterize a large cohort of patients undergoing total ossicular chain reconstruction with titanium prosthesis. (2) Analyze long-term hearing outcomes of the same cohort.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary care center.Subject and MethodsThis study reviews patients who underwent total ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR) with titanium prostheses (TORPs) at a single tertiary care center from 2005 to 2015. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, diagnosis, and operative details. Patients were included in statistical analysis if length of follow-up was 2 years or more. Evaluation of hearing improvement was made by comparing preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) and ABG at follow-up at 2 years.ResultsIn total, 153 patients were identified who met inclusion criteria. The mean age of included patients was 40 years (range, 6-89 years). Sixty patients (39%) had a history of OCR, and 120 patients (78%) had a diagnosis of cholesteatoma at the time of OCR. Preoperatively, the mean ABG was 36 ± 12, whereas the mean ABG at 2-year follow-up improved to 26 ± 13. This was statistically significant ( P < .0001) using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. Twelve patients (8%) required revision OCR. Two revisions were performed due to prosthesis extrusion (<1%).ConclusionTitanium prostheses lead to significant improvement in hearing over long periods. The results are sustained as far out as 5 years following surgery. In addition, rates of revision surgery with titanium TORPs are low. Based on this series, there are no readily identifiable predictors for outcomes following total OCR.


2020 ◽  
pp. 107110072096967
Author(s):  
Carlo Biz ◽  
Alberto Crimì ◽  
Ilaria Fantoni ◽  
Jacopo Tagliapietra ◽  
Pietro Ruggieri

Background: This study was aimed at assessing clinical and radiographic outcomes of the Minimally Invasive Intramedullary Nail Device (MIIND) to correct moderate to severe hallux valgus (HV) and the long-term persistence of its effects. Methods: This case series study involved 100 patients, 84 women and 16 men (mean age, 59 years), who underwent the MIIND procedure with a mean follow-up of 97 months. Assessment was performed preoperatively, postoperatively, at 6 and 12 months, and at last follow-up. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, visual analog scale (VAS), and patient satisfaction. Intermetatarsal angle (IMA), metatarsophalangeal hallux valgus angle (HVA), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), and tibial sesamoid position were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: The mean AOFAS score improved from 57.9 to 90.5 points, VAS scale was 1.5 ± 2.0, and patients’ satisfaction was 8.7 ± 1.4. The mean correction of the HVA and IMA showed a significant correction; however, the effect of time was not statistically significant on DMAA. Sex ( P = .047), severity ( P = .050), associated procedures ( P = .000), and preoperative angle ( P = .000) showed significant association with HVA correction and its persistence over time. Age was not statistically significant. Complications were 9 cases of superficial wound infection and 6 recurrences. Conclusions: The MIIND technique proved a viable procedure to correct moderate to severe HV with a low rate of complications and recurrence, producing significant correction of most radiographic parameters assessed and their persistence, even at long term. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series study.


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