Multilevel Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Research Articles

Is the behavior of disc replacement adjacent to fusion affected by the location of the fused level in hybrid surgery?

Background ContextHybrid surgery (HS), consisting of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) at the mobile level, along with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at the spondylotic level, could be a promising treatment for patients with multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD). An advantage of this technique is that it uses an optimal procedure according to the status of each level. However, information is lacking regarding the influence of the relative location of the replacement and the fusion segment in vivo. PurposeWe conducted the present study to investigate whether the location of the fusion affected the behavior of the disc replacement and adjacent segments in HS in vivo. Study DesignThis is an observational study. Patient SampleThe numbers of patients in the arthroplasty-fusion (AF) and fusion-arthroplasty (FA) groups were 51 and 24, respectively. Outcome MeasuresThe Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were evaluated. Global and segmental lordosis, the range of motion (ROM) of C2–C7, and the operated and adjacent segments were measured. Fusion rate and radiological changes at adjacent levels were observed. MethodsBetween January 2010 and July 2016, 75 patients with cervical DDD at two contiguous levels undergoing a two-level HS were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into AF and FA groups according to the locations of the disc replacement. Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the JOA, NDI, and VAS scores. Radiological parameters, including global and segmental lordosis, the ROM of C2–C7, the operated and adjacent segments, and complications, were also evaluated. ResultsAlthough the JOA, NDI, and VAS scores were improved in both the AF and the FA groups, no significant differences were found between the two groups at any follow-up point. Both groups maintained cervical lordosis, but no difference was found between the groups. Segmental lordosis at the fusion segment was significantly improved postoperatively (p<.001), whereas it was maintained at the arthroplasty segment. The ROM of C2–C7 was significantly decreased in both groups postoperatively (AF p=.001, FA p=.014), but no difference was found between the groups. The FA group exhibited a non-significant improvement in ROM at the arthroplasty segment. The ROM adjacent to the arthroplasty segment was increased, although not significantly, whereas the ROM adjacent to the fusion segment was significantly improved after surgery in both groups (p<.001). Fusion was achieved in all patients. No significant difference in complications was found between the groups. ConclusionsIn HS, cephalic or caudal fusion segments to the arthroplasty segment did not affect the clinical outcomes and the behavior of CDA. However, the ROM of adjacent segments was affected by the location of the fusion segment; segments adjacent to fusion segments had greater ROMs than segments adjacent to arthroplasty segments.

A new zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage for the treatment of the single and multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease

To investigate the clinical and radiological results of the new zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage to treat single- and multiple-level cervical DDD, and evaluate the safety and efficiency. Between October 2011 and July 2014, 72 consecutive patients (41 males and 31 females; mean age 50.9years [range, 33–68years]) with cervical DDD who underwent surgery and were followed for more than 2years were enrolled in this study (mean 31.1months, range 24–47months). The study compared clinical outcomes, radiologic parameters and complication rates. The SF-36, VAS, NDI, and JOA scores of all patients were improved significantly after surgery at any time point. (all p<0.05). The C2–C7 Cobb angle and the disc height index (DHI) of all patients were improved significantly after surgery at any time point (all p<0.05). From 3months after surgery to final follow-up the DHI showed a significant reduction comparing 1week after surgery (all p<0.05). The fusion rates were 91.7% (66/72) and the radiologic mean fusion time was 9.9months. Radiological evidence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) was observed in 4/41 patients (9.8%). Postoperative complications included epidural hematoma, hoarseness, dysphagia, axial neck pain, and subsidence. The zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage for ACDF can be considered an effective, reliable and safe alternative procedure in the treatment of cervical DDD.

A comparison of a new zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage and anterior cervical plate for single and multilevel ACDF: a minimum 2-year follow-up study.

To compare perioperative parameters, clinical outcomes, radiographic parameters, and complication rates of the new zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage with those of the stand-alone cages with a titanium plate for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the surgical treatment of single- and multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD). Between October 2009 and December 2013, 152 consecutive patients [86 males and 52 females; mean age 51.0years (range 30-69years)] with cervical DDD, who underwent surgery and were followed for more than 2years, were enrolled in this study and divided into the cage group and plate group. The study compared perioperative parameters, surgery-related and implant-related complication rates, clinical outcomes, and radiologic parameters. The clinical and radiologic results in both groups were satisfactory after a minimum 2-year follow-up. No significant differences between the cage group and plate group in terms of improvement in the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, visual analogue scale, Neck Disability Index, Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, disc height, mean fusion time, fusion rate, adjacent segment degeneration, and restoration of cervical lordosis, but the cage group was associated with a lower risk of postoperative dysphagia, shorter operation time, less blood loss, less cost of index surgery, and relatively greater simplicity than the plate group. The zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage for ACDF is an effective, reliable, and safe alternate to the conventional method for the treatment of cervical DDD. However, there is no definitive evidence that Fidji cervical cage has better intermediate-term outcomes than the stand-alone cages with a titanium plate for ACDF.

Hybrid Surgery of Multilevel Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease : Review of Literature and Clinical Results

ObjectiveIn the present study, we evaluated the effect, safety and radiological outcomes of cervical hybrid surgery (cervical disc prosthesis replacement at one level, and interbody fusion at the other level) on the multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD).MethodsFifty-one patients (mean age 46.7 years) with symptomatic multilevel cervical spondylosis were treated using hybrid surgery (HS). Clinical [neck disability index (NDI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score] and radiologic outcomes [range of motion (ROM) for cervical spine, adjacent segment and arthroplasty level] were evaluated at routine postoperative intervals of 1, 6, 12, 24 months. Review of other similar studies that examined the HS in multilevel cervical DDD was performed.ResultsOut of 51 patients, 41 patients received 2 level hybrid surgery and 10 patients received 3 level hybrid surgery. The NDI and VAS score were significantly decreased during the follow up periods (p<0.05). The cervical ROM was recovered at 6 and 12 month postoperatively and the mean ROM of inferior adjacent segment was significantly larger than that of superior adjacent segments after surgery. The ROM of the arthoplasty level was preserved well during the follow up periods. No surgical and device related complications were observed.ConclusionHybrid surgery is a safe and effective alternative to fusion for the management of multilevel cervical spondylosis.

Early results and review of the literature of a novel hybrid surgical technique combining cervical arthrodesis and disc arthroplasty for treating multilevel degenerative disc disease: opposite or complementary techniques?

We report the clinical and radiological results on the safety and efficacy of an unusual surgical strategy coupling anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and total disc replacement in a single-stage procedure, in patients with symptomatic, multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD). The proposed hybrid, single-stage, fusion-nonfusion technique aims either at restoring or maintaining motion where appropriate or favouring bony fusion when indicated by degenerative changes. Twenty-four patients (mean age 46.7 years) with symptomatic, multilevel DDD, either soft disc hernia or different stage spondylosis per single level, with predominant anterior myeloradicular compression and absence of severe alterations of cervical spine sagittal alignment, have been operated using such hybrid technique. Fifteen patients underwent a two-level surgery, seven patients received a three-level surgery and two a four-level procedure, for a total of 59 implanted devices (27 disc prostheses and 32 cages). Follow-up ranged between 12 and 40 months (mean 23.8 months). In all but one patient clinical follow-up (neurological examination, Nurick scale, NDI, SF-36) demonstrated significant improvement; radiological evaluation showed functioning disc prostheses (total range of motion 3-15 degrees ) and fusion through cages. None of the patients needed revision surgery for persisting or recurring symptoms, procedure-related complications or devices dislocations. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first study with the longest available follow-up describing a different concept in the management of cervical multilevel DDD. Although larger series with longer follow-up are needed, in selected cases of symptomatic multilevel DDD, the proposed surgical strategy appears to be a safe and reliable application of combined arthroplasty and arthrodesis during a single surgical procedure.