Monitoring of blood parameters following anterior cervical fusion

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen K. Rosahl ◽  
Alireza Gharabaghi ◽  
Peter-Michael Zink ◽  
Madjid Samii
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Postoperative Period ◽  
White Cell Count ◽  
Anterior Cervical Fusion ◽  
Anterior Fusion ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cervical Spine Surgery ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Both C-reactive protein (CRP) level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured prospectively in 51 cases in which uncomplicated cervical anterior fusion was performed. The object of the authors was to quantify the differences in the responses of these parameters recorded in the immediate postoperative period and to determine factors influencing their course. Methods. Nineteen one-level, 23 two-level, and nine three-level procedures for disc herniation and degenerative disease of the cervical spine were performed in 22 female and 29 male patients (mean age 49.2 years). Blood samples were obtained 1 day before as well as on 10 consecutive days and 3 months following anterior cervical fusion. Serum CRP level was measured using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay and ESR was determined from the same samples. Operative time, the number of blood transfusions, and drugs administered in the postoperative period were recorded. In addition, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, platelet count, white cell count, and axillary body temperature were checked daily. Conclusions. Monitoring of CRP level is superior to that of ESR for early detection of infections after cervical spine surgery. Although CRP was not related to any of the factors that have been proposed to explain its peak value variance in previous studies, individual acute-phase protein metabolism response to tissue affection appears to be a more decisive element in this respect.

Use of cylindrical titanium mesh and locking plates in anterior cervical fusion

2001 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaushik Das ◽  
William T. Couldwell ◽  
Gerard Sava ◽  
Rudolph F. Tadonio
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Iliac Crest ◽  
Locking Plate ◽  
Anterior Cervical Fusion ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Titanium Mesh ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Locking Plate System ◽  
Fine Print

✓ After performing anterior cervical corpectomy or discectomy for cervical spondolytic myelopathy or radiculopathy, iliac crest bone graft and fibular auto- or allograft is often used to achieve arthrodesis in the cervical spine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a cylindrical titanium mesh and locking plate system as an alternative technique in achieving anterior cervical fusion and maintaining lordosis. Hospital records and radiographs of 38 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomies (28 patients) or corpectomies (10 patients) from 1995 to 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients had undergone arthrodesis in which autograft and a cylindrical titanium mesh and anterior locking plate fixation were used after discectomy or corpectomy. There were 20 men and 18 women (mean age 46.1 years; range 34–72 years). Presenting symptoms included radiculopathy (61%), myelopathy (37%), and neck pain (2%). Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were studied, and data were obtained on the following: overall lordosis or kyphosis of the cervical spine, segmental lordosis or kyphosis at each surgically treated level, and evidence of fusion. In all of the patients in whom lordosis was present preoperatively, lordosis was maintained during the follow-up period. The overall fusion rate was 100%. The average change in overall lordosis or kyphosis related to the fixation devices was 1.2° (range 1–5°); the average segmental change was 2.3° (range 0–5°); and the mean follow up was 16 months (range 12–36 months). Anterior cervical fusion with cylindrical titanium mesh and cervical locking plate system is an effective method of achieving arthrodesis and maintaining alignment in the cervical spine. The construct may provide additional load-sharing function, and it avoids the use of cadaveric bone or the need for harvesting tricortical iliac crest autograft.

Delayed intracranial migration of cervical sublaminar and interspinous wires and subsequent cerebellar abscess

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin L. Stevenson ◽  
Matthew Wetzel ◽  
Ian F. Pollack
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neurological Injury ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cerebellar Abscess ◽  
Delayed Complication ◽  
History Of ◽  
Delayed Complications ◽  
The Wire ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Delayed complications associated with sublaminar and interspinous wiring in the pediatric cervical spine are rare. The authors present a case of delayed complication in which a cervical fusion wire migrated into the cerebellum, causing subsequent cerebellar abscess 2 years after posterior cervical arthrodesis. A craniotomy was required to remove the wire and drain the abscess. Despite their history of safety and successful fusion, procedures involving sublaminar and interspinous wiring carry a risk of neurological injury secondary to wire migration. A thorough neuroimaging evaluation is required in patients who have undergone fusion and who have neurological complaints to detect late instrumentation-related sequelae.

Graft subsidence after instrument-assisted anterior cervical fusion

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary W. Tye ◽  
R. Scott Graham ◽  
William C. Broaddus ◽  
Harold F. Young
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Status ◽  
Reoperation Rate ◽  
Anterior Cervical Fusion ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Plate Length ◽  
Graft Subsidence ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Bone grafts used in anterior cervical fusion (ACF) may subside postoperatively. The authors reviewed a recent series in which instrument-assisted ACF was performed to determine the degree of subsidence with respect to fusion length, use of segmental screws, and patient smoking status, age, and sex. Methods. Charts and implant records were reviewed for all 70 patients who underwent instrument-assisted ACF during a 2-year period. The procedures, grafting materials, plate types/lengths, and patient smoking status were recorded. The immediate postoperative and follow-up lateral radiographs were analyzed. The plate lengths and lengths of the fused segments were measured in a standardized fashion. The mean intraoperative and follow-up fusion segment lengths were 54.3 and 51.9 mm, respectively. Greater subsidence occurred in multilevel fusions than in single-level fusions. There were noticeable changes in the position of plates or screws on 14 of 70 follow-up x-ray films. No new neurological deficits related to graft subsidence occurred, and the reoperation rate was 3%. There was no statistical relation between subsidence and the following variables: segmental fixation, smoking status, sex, age, or dowel size when corrected for length of the plate. Hardware migration correlated significantly with plate length in cases of two- and three-level fusions. Conclusions. The length of a fusion segment decreases in the immediate weeks following instrument-assisted ACF. Construct length is the most important determinant of subsidence. When designing multilevel cervical constructs, consideration of the effects of graft subsidence may help to avoid hardware-related complications.

The impact of minimally invasive cervical spine surgery

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim E. Adamson
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Surgical Technique ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Cervical Radiculopathy ◽  
Foraminal Stenosis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cervical Spine Surgery ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Safe Treatment Option ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Since 1997, cervical endoscopic laminoforaminotomy (CELF) has been an effective and safe treatment option for unilateral cervical radiculopathy secondary to disc herniation or foraminal stenosis. The development of the surgical technique is reviewed and recent outcomes discussed. Its impact is addressed in relation to the patient and surgeon.

Posterior cervical fusion in children

1976 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe M. McWhorter ◽  
Eben Alexander ◽  
Courtland H. Davis ◽  
David L. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neurological Deficit ◽  
The Other ◽  
Congenital Absence ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cervical Spine Injuries ◽  
Spine Injuries ◽  
Posterior Cervical Fusion ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Six cases of posterior cervical fusion with rib grafts in children are reported. Four of the children had sustained cervical spine injuries in accidents, and two had congenital absence of the odontoid. Three-level fusions (C1–3) were done in four children, and four-level fusions (C1–4) in two. One child died of unrelated causes 3 months after the operation. The other five children have been followed for 5 to 13 years. All are doing well and each has a remarkably supple, stable neck and no neurological deficit.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy during anterior cervical spine surgery: a prospective study

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Jung ◽  
Johannes Schramm ◽  
Kai Lehnerdt ◽  
Claus Herberhold
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Spine Surgery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cervical Spine Surgery ◽  
True Incidence ◽  
Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy is a well-known complication of cervical spine surgery. Nearly all previous studies were performed without laryngoscopy in asymptomatic patients. This prospective study was undertaken to discern the true incidence of RLN palsy. Because not every RLN palsy is associated with hoarseness, the authors conducted a prospective study involving the use of pre- and postoperative laryngoscopy. Methods. Prior to anterior cervical spine surgery preoperative indirect laryngoscopy was performed in 123 patients to evaluate the status of the vocal cords as a sign of function of the RLN. To assess postoperative status in 120 patients laryngoscopy was repeated, and in cases of vocal cord malfunction follow-up examination was conducted 3 months later. In the group of 120 patients who attended follow-up examination, two (1.6%) had experienced a preoperative RLN palsy without hoarseness. Postoperatively the rate of clinically symptomatic RLN palsy was 8.3%, and the incidence of RLN palsy not associated with hoarseness (that is, clinically unapparent without laryngoscopy) was 15.9% (overall incidence 24.2%). At 3-month follow-up evaluation the rate had decreased to 2.5% in cases with hoarseness and 10.8% without hoarseness. Thus, the overall rate of early persisting RLN palsy was 11.3%. Conclusions. Laryngoscopy revealed that the true incidence of initial and persisting RLN palsy after anterior cervical spine surgery was much higher than anticipated. Especially in cases without hoarseness this could be proven, but the initial incidence of hoarseness was higher than expected. Only one third of new RLN palsy cases could be detected without laryngoscopy. Resolution of hoarseness was approximately 70% in those with preoperative hoarseness. The true rate of RLN palsy underscores the necessity to reevaluate the surgery- and intubation-related techniques for anterior cervical spine surgery and to reassess the degree of presurgical patient counseling.

A randomized prospective study of an anterior cervical interbody fusion device with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up results

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Hacker
Keyword(s):  
Interbody Fusion ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Anterior Cervical Fusion ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Solid Fusion ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Despite variations in technique, inherent problems persist with current approaches to anterior cervical fusion. This study was performed to determine whether anterior cervical fusion performed using an investigational device was safe and effective in the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disorders and whether this device offered advantages over current techniques. Methods. Fifty-four patients with radiculopathy with or without mild myelopathy due to one- or two-level cervical degenerative disc disease were randomized as part of a Food and Drug Administration device study. Following microsurgical discectomy, the control group was treated with iliac crest graft fusion; the experimental study group underwent insertion of an interspace cage and placement of a local autograft. All patients received postoperative follow-up care for at least 2 years. Good or excellent results were found in approximately 97% of the experimental group and 88% of the control group. A solid fusion was achieved in all patients who underwent one-level cage placement, and a solid fusion at one or both levels was achieved in over 90% of both groups. Chronic donor site pain was reported by 31% of the control group. Conclusions. In this study, the use of an interbody fusion cage avoided donor site morbidity and placement of autograft achieved a high rate of good or excellent results. Interbody fusion cages appear safe and effective, and their use helps to avoid some of the inherent problems in performing current anterior cervical fusion techniques.

Anterior cervical fusion with carbon fiber cage containing coralline hydroxyapatite: preliminary observations in 45 consecutive cases of soft-disc herniation

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto Agrillo ◽  
Luciano Mastronardi ◽  
Fabrizio Puzzilli
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fiber ◽  
Bone Substitutes ◽  
Anterior Cervical Fusion ◽  
Angular Deformity ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Coralline Hydroxyapatite ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The purposes of bone substitutes for anterior cervical fusion (ACF) are immediate biomechanical support and osteointegration of the graft. The authors report their preliminary results in performing ACF in which carbon fiber cages (CFCs) containing coralline hydroxyapatite (HA) are used as bone substitute. Methods. During a 24-month period, anterior microsurgical discectomy was performed in 45 consecutive patients for soft-disc cervical herniation. In all cases ACF was performed using a CFC containing a core of granulated coralline HA. Fifty-seven CFCs were implanted in 33 single-level and 12 two-level procedures. The mean operative time was 83 minutes for one-level and 97 minutes for two-level procedures. The mean hospital stay was 1.51 days, and there were no permanent complications. At a mean follow up of 22.3 months, the pain had decreased or disappeared in all patients, and the patients' satisfaction rate was very high. Good results were also obtained in patients who smoked cigarettes. Patients underwent radiographic evaluation at Day 1, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Implant-related complications were not observed and revision surgeries were not performed. Twelve-month cervical x-ray films demonstrated complete fusion in all cases, without evidence of breakage, collapse, pseudarthrosis, subsidence, angular deformity, or protrusion. Signs of pathological absorption and necrosis were not found in contiguous vertebral bodies, and inflammatory reactions were never seen around cages. Conclusions. These preliminary results suggest that implants composed of CFC containing granulated coralline HA are promising bone substitutes to be used in ACF, with a good rate of incorporation and no significant complications.

A modified drill guide for the anterior cervical fusion (Cloward) procedure

1980 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Berry ◽  
William J. Horsey
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedure ◽  
Anterior Cervical Fusion ◽  
Drilling Process ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fusion Procedure ◽  
Cloward Procedure ◽  
Drill Guide ◽  
Fixation Points ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A modified drill guide for use in the anterior cervical fusion procedure is described. This device permits an inspection of the interbody hole during the drilling process, and incorporates the additional mechanical improvements of replacement fixation points and locking rings of different diameter. These modifications have been found to simplify and improve control over the drilling component of this surgical procedure.

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