Perioperative Hidden Blood Loss in Elderly Cervical Spondylosis Patients With Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion and Influencing Factors

Introduction: To analyze the perioperative hidden blood loss (HBL) and its influencing factors in elderly cervical spondylosis patients treated with anterior cervical discectomy fusion (ACDF). Materials and Methods: From January 2017 to December 2018, 128 elderly cervical spondylosis patients (age > 65 y) treated with ACDF were selected. The patients’ height, weight, duration of symptoms, previous medical history and other basic information were routinely recorded. The hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and blood coagulation function preoperative and the next day postoperative were recorded. The operation time, surgical bleeding, ASA classification, fixation method, total drainage and the time for extraction of drainage tube were recorded. The total blood loss (TBL) was calculated according to the Gross’s formula, and HBL was calculated based on TBL, total drainage and surgical bleeding. The statistical analysis of HBL was performed, and then influential factors were further analyzed by multivariate linear regression analysis and t test. Results: The mean surgical bleeding was 102.70 ± 46.78 mL and HBL was 487.98 ± 255.96 mL. HBL accounted for 67.61 ± 5.20% of TBL. According to the multiple linear regression analysis, the gender (P = 0.047), operation time (P = 0.000), fixation method (P = 0.014) and international normalized ratio (INR) (P = 0.003) influenced the amount of HBL. Body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.624), hypertension (P = 0.977), diabetes (P = 0.528), blood type (P = 0.577), ASA classification (P = 0.711), duration of symptoms (P = 0.661), preoperative cobb angle (P = 0.152), number of surgical level (P = 0.709), intramedullary hyperintensity (P = 0.967), drainage time (P = 0.294), postoperative drainage volume (P = 0.599), prothrombin time (PT) (P = 0.674), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (P = 0.544) and thrombin time (TT) (P = 0.680) had no correlation with the amount of HBL. Conclusions: There was obvious HBL during the perioperative period of ACDF in elderly cervical spondylosis patients. The male patients, longer operation time, fusion with titanium plate and cage and high INR were independent risk factors for HBL.

Biomechanical Analysis of Allograft Spacer Failure as a Function of Cortical-Cancellous Ratio in Anterior Cervical Discectomy/Fusion: Allograft Spacer Alone Model

The design and ratio of the cortico-cancellous composition of allograft spacers are associated with graft-related problems, including subsidence and allograft spacer failure. Methods: The study analyzed stress distribution and risk of subsidence according to three types (cortical only, cortical cancellous, cortical lateral walls with a cancellous center bone) and three lengths (11, 12, 14 mm) of allograft spacers under the condition of hybrid motion control, including flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending,. A detailed finite element model of a previously validated, three-dimensional, intact C3–7 segment, with C5–6 segmental fusion using allograft spacers without fixation, was used in the present study. Findings: Among the three types of cervical allograft spacers evaluated, cortical lateral walls with a cancellous center bone exhibited the highest stress on the cortical bone of spacers, as well as the endplate around the posterior margin of the spacers. The likelihood of allograft spacer failure was highest for 14 mm spacers composed of cortical lateral walls with a cancellous center bone upon flexion (PVMS, 270.0 MPa; 250.2%) and extension (PVMS: 371.40 MPa, 344.2%). The likelihood of allograft spacer subsidence was also highest for the same spacers upon flexion (PVMS, 4.58 MPa; 28.1%) and extension (PVMS: 12.71 MPa, 78.0%). Conclusion: Cervical spacers with a smaller cortical component and of longer length can be risk factors for allograft spacer failure and subsidence, especially in flexion and extension. However, further study of additional fixation methods, such as anterior plates/screws and posterior screws, in an actual clinical setting is necessary.

Follow-up of a new titanium-coated polyetheretherketone cage for the cervical spine

Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) cages have lower modulus of elasticity when compared with Titanium (TTN) cages. This suggests that PEEK-cages could show a lower rate of subsidence after anterior cervical discectomy-fusion (ACDF) and might lead to a lower loss of correction. We investigated the one to five year-results of standalone PEEK-TTN-porous coated cages in a patient cohort from 2014 to 2017. The patients underwent single-level ACDF for disc herniation and degenerative discopathy. Clinical and radiological outcome were assessed in 50 eligible patients after a mean of 27 months. Results: Solid arthrodesis was found in 84%. Neck disability index (NDI), and visual analogue scale (VAS) of neck and arm show comparable results to the literature. Conclusions: Clinical and radiological outcomes of ACDF with PEEK-body-cages with a porous coated surface show good bony integration. The modulus of elasticity, design, shape, size, cage surface architecture, as well as bone density, endplate preparation, radical microdiscectomy and distraction during surgery should be considered as important factors influencing the clinical results. One main advantage, over titanium cages, is the absence of MRI artifacts, allowing an excellent postoperative follow-up.

Failure of C2-3 anterior arthrodesis for the treatment of atypical Hangman’s fractures: A three case series

Background: Hangman’s fractures (HF) are defined by bilateral fractures of pars interarticularis of the axis. Most can be treated with a collar. However, the treatment strategies for atypical HF (AHF) involve the pedicles, are unstable, and require fusion. Here, we present three cases of AHF that failed anterior arthrodesis warranting repeat anterior (one case), and posterior fusions (three cases). Case Description: One female and two males, ranging from 48 to 69 years of age, presented with AHF. All three were originally treated with C2-3 anterior cervical discectomy/fusion, and all three failed (e.g., resulted in pseudarthrosis/ anterolisthesis/instability). The first patient required a secondary C3 corpectomy/C2-4 arthrodesis, with C1-C4 posterior instrumentation. The latter two patients required secondary C1-C3 posterior fusions. For all three patients, 3–12 months follow-up X-rays confirmed the excellent alignment of the instrumentation and bony fusion. Conclusion: Anterior arthrodesis can be utilized to treat AHF, but often fail when addressing AHF. All AHF warranted secondary posterior fusions (e.g., C1-C3 two cases; and C1-C4 one case) and a subset may additionally require more extensive anterior fusions (e.g., C2-C4 with corpectomy of C3).

Evaluation of Results of Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion (ACDF) by Cervical Cage with Bone Graft for the Treatment of Single Level Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Background: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a common spinal cord disorder that develops in elderly people. Anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) is an effective and reliable procedure for the treatment of CSM. Objective: To find out the results of ACDF by cervical cage with bone graft for the treatment of single level cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, over a period of two years from March 2015 to August 2017. Forty patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were diagnosed on the basis of presenting complains, clinical examination and investigations and were enrolled in this study. The history of the patients was collected, clinical examination was done and relevant investigations were done for each patient. In this study, Nurick grading and VAS scale were used for evaluation of the result. Result: Male gender was predominant in this study; male-female ratio was 2.63:1. Mean age of the patients was 45.9 ± 9.1 years within the range of 30-65 years. Both sides were affected in 14 (35.0%) cases, only right side was affected in 15 (37.5%) cases and only left side was affected in 11 (27.5%) cases. Involved disc spaces were C3/4 (10.0%), C4/5 (22.5%), C5/6 (42.5%) and C6/7 (25.0%). Transientdysphagia was observed in 2 (5.0%), transient para paresis in 1 (2.5.0%), wound infection in 1(2.5.0%) case and damage to the dura was observed in 1 (2.5.0%) case. Signs of fusion were observed in 10 (25.0%) cases after 3 months, 30 (75.0%) cases after 6 months and in all patients after 12months. The result was found to be excellent in 35 (87.5%) and good in 5 (12.5%) cases. Conclusion: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion by cervical cage with bone graft is an effective procedure for management of CSM.