Complex Revision Surgery for Cervical Deformity or Implant Failure

Abstract

Postoperative cervical deformity sometimes occurs in the short or long term after primary surgery for cervical disorders related to the degenerative aging spine, neoplastic etiologies, hemodialysis, infection, inflammation, trauma, etc. Cervical kyphosis after posterior decompression surgery, such as laminectomy or laminoplasty, is a common problem for spine surgeons. However, revision surgery for cervical deformity is definitely one of the most challenging areas for spine surgeons. There is no doubt that surgery for cervical deformity carries a high risk of surgery-related complications that might result in aggravation of health-related quality of life. Revision surgery is even more challenging. Hence, spine surgeons need to assess carefully the overall severity of the underlying condition before revision surgery, and try to refine the surgical strategy to secure safe surgery. Needless to say, spine surgeons are now facing great challenges in making spine surgery a much more reliable and convincing entity.