An unusual acute onset hard and small volume epidural blood clotting after anterior cervical discectomy with tetraparetic neurological findings

AbstractThis retrospective comparative study aimed to compare the efficacy of selective caudal fixed screw constructs with all variable screw constructs in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Thirty-five patients who underwent surgery using selective caudal fixed screw construct (SF group) were compared with 44 patients who underwent surgery using all variable constructs (AV group). The fusion rate, subsidence, adjacent level ossification development (ALOD), adjacent segmental disease (ASD), and plate-adjacent disc space distance were assessed. The one-year fusion rates assessed by computed tomography bone bridging and interspinous motion as well as the significant subsidence rate did not differ significantly between the AV and SF groups. The ALOD and ASD rates and plate-adjacent disc space distances did not significantly differ between the two groups at both the cranial and caudal adjacent levels. The number of operated levels was significantly associated with pseudarthrosis in the logistic regression analysis. The stability provided by the locking mechanism of the fixed screw did not lead to an increased fusion rate at the caudal level. Therefore, the screw type should be selected based on individual patient’s anatomy and surgeon’s experience without concern for increased complications caused by screw type.

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Post-Operative Dysphagia in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/00034894211015582 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000348942110155

Author(s):

Leonard Haller ◽

Khush Mehul Kharidia ◽

Caitlin Bertelsen ◽

Jeffrey Wang ◽

Karla O’Dell

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Medical Records ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽

Cervical Discectomy ◽

Long Term Follow Up

Objective: We sought to identify risk factors associated with long-term dysphagia, characterize changes in dysphagia over time, and evaluate the incidence of otolaryngology referrals for patients with long-term dysphagia following anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF). Methods: About 56 patients who underwent ACDF between May 2017 to February 2019 were included in the study. All patients were assessed for dysphagia using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) survey preoperatively and late postoperatively (≥1 year). Additionally, 28 patients were assessed for dysphagia early postoperatively (2 weeks—3 months). Demographic data, medical comorbidities, intraoperative details, and post-operative otolaryngology referral rates were collected from electronic medical records. Results: Of the 56 patients enrolled, 21 patients (38%) had EAT-10 scores of 3 or more at long-term follow-up. None of the demographics, comorbidities, or surgical factors assessed were associated with long-term dysphagia. Patients who reported no long-term dysphagia had a mean EAT-10 score of 6.9 early postoperatively, while patients with long-term symptoms had a mean score of 18.1 ( P = .006). Of the 21 patients who reported persistent dysphagia symptoms, 3 (14%) received dysphagia testing or otolaryngology referrals post-operatively. Conclusion: Dysphagia is a notable side effect of ACDF surgery, but there are no significant demographics, comorbidities, or surgical risk factors that predict long-term dysphagia. Early postoperative characterization of dysphagia using the EAT-10 questionnaire can help predict long-term symptoms. There is inadequate screening and otolaryngology follow-up for patients with post-ACDF dysphagia.

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Reoperation rates and patient-reported outcomes of single and two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery ◽

10.1007/s00402-021-04056-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

James S. Chambers ◽

Robert G. Kropp ◽

Raymond J. Gardocki

Keyword(s):

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽

Cervical Discectomy ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Reoperation Rates

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Nonunion Rates After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Comparison of Polyetheretherketone vs Structural Allograft Implants

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/neuros/nyab079 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Won Hyung A Ryu ◽

Dominick Richards ◽

Mena G Kerolus ◽

Adewale A Bakare ◽

Ryan Khanna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Status ◽

Posterior Instrumentation ◽

Patient Reported Outcome ◽

Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽

Successful Outcome ◽

Cervical Discectomy ◽

Structural Allograft ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

Patient Reported ◽

The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND Although advances in implant materials, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), have been developed aimed to improve outcome after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), it is essential to confirm whether these changes translate into clinically important sustained benefits. OBJECTIVE To compare the radiographic and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing up to 3-level ACDF with PEEK vs structural allograft implants. METHODS In this cohort study, radiographic and symptomatic nonunion rates were compared in consecutive patients who underwent 1 to 3 level ACDF with allograft or PEEK implant. Prospectively collected clinical data and patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores were compared between the allograft and PEEK groups. Regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of nonunion. RESULTS In total, 194 of 404 patients met the inclusion criteria (79% allograft vs 21% PEEK). Preoperative demographic variables were comparable between the 2 groups except for age. The rate of radiographic nonunion was higher with PEEK implants (39% vs 27%, P = .0035). However, a higher proportion of nonunion in the allograft cohort required posterior instrumentation (14% vs 3%, P = .039). Patients with multilevel procedures and PEEK implants had up to 5.8 times the risk of radiographic nonunion, whereas younger patients, active smokers, and multilevel procedures were at higher risk of symptomatic nonunion. CONCLUSION Along with implant material, factors such as younger age, active smoking status, and the number of operated levels were independent predictors of fusion failure. Given the impact of nonunion on PRO, perioperative optimization of modifiable factors and surgical planning are essential to ensure a successful outcome.

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Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion and Plating for Correction of Degenerative Cervical Kyphosis: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Operative Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/ons/opaa339 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jeremy M V Guinn ◽

Brenton Pennicooke ◽

Joshua Rivera ◽

Praveen V Mummaneni ◽

Dean Chou

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Informed Consent ◽

Bone Density ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽

Cervical Kyphosis ◽

Nerve Roots ◽

Cervical Discectomy ◽

Cervical Plate ◽

Sequential Induction

Abstract This surgical video demonstrates the technique for correcting degenerative cervical kyphosis using an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Degenerative cervical kyphosis can cause radiculopathy, myelopathy, and difficulty holding up one's head. The goal of surgical intervention is to alleviate pain, improve the ability for upright gaze, and decompress the spinal cord or nerve roots. Posterior-only approaches and anterior corpectomies are alternative treatments to address cervical kyphosis. However, an ACDF allows for sequential induction of lordosis via distraction over multiple segments and for further lordosis induction by sequential screw tightening, pulling the spine towards a lordotic cervical plate.1 This video shows 2 cases demonstrating a technique of correcting severe cervical degenerative kyphosis. The video illustrates our initial kyphotic Caspar pin placement coupled with sequential anterior distraction to correct kyphosis. The technique is most useful in patients who have good bone density, nonankylosed facets, and degenerative cervical kyphosis. We have received informed consent of this patient to submit this video.

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