Long-term outcome of the Cloward procedure for single-level cervical degenerative spondylosis. Clinical and radiological assessment after a 22-year mean follow-up

Abstract

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of the classical Cloward procedure in single-level cervical spondylosis. A retrospective study of 28 patients who were affected by cervical degenerative spondylosis at C4-C7 segments and treated by the Cloward technique at a single level from 1985-1995 was conducted. The average follow-up period was 22 years (range, 17-27 years). Preoperative clinical complaints were recorded and compared to the current clinical status. Preoperative, 3-6 months postoperative and a current radiographic study were analysed by evaluating the segmental and global sagittal alignment of the cervical spine as well as the occurrence of adjacent disc degeneration. The most frequently operated segment was C5-C6 (57.1 %), followed by C6-C7 (32.1 %) and C4-C5 (7.1 %). Pain relief and symptom recovery experienced 3-6 months following the surgery was maintained at the most recent follow-up in 85 % of patients. Adjacent disc degeneration was detected in a total of 17 cases (60.7 %). Overall, a group of 14 cases (50 %) had increased lordosis at C2-C7 at the most recent follow-up, with a mean gain of 1.5º Cobb. According to Odom's criteria, 17 patients (60.8 %) presented with excellent clinical outcome, 6 (21.4 %) presented with good outcome, 5 had a (17.8 %) fair outcome, and none had a poor outcome. The Cloward technique provided excellent long-term clinical outcome in the treatment of single-level cervical degenerative spondylosis. There were no major alterations of the cervical sagittal balance, and the development of adjacent segment disease (ASD) was not specifically associated with the previous surgery.