Posterior Cervical Decompression Research Articles

Clinical Outcomes Following Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy With Cervical Posterior Decompression Using Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Technique: A Single Center Retrospective Series of 20 Patients.

Unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) is a minimally invasive approach to treat cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR), which is a common condition caused secondary to disc herniation, disc degeneration, uncal osteophytes, and other conditions manifesting as neuropathic radicular pain. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the gold standard surgical technique for treating CSR. However, it has several disadvantages, including loss of mobile segment, adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), implant- and approach-related complications, and high hospitalization costs. The current study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of UBE decompression for CSR. After obtaining IRB approval, a single-center retrospective study was undertaken. Included patients underwent UBE decompression for CSR with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up. Patient demographics, perioperative data, and length of hospital stay were reviewed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using VAS scores for neck and arm pain, and NDI scores were measure preoperatively and at 1 and 6 months after UBE decompression. A repeated analysis of variance test was performed to measure the difference between VAS and NDI scores. Twenty patients (M: 15, F: 5) with a mean age of 56.7 ± 10.2 years were included. The mean follow-up period was 8.4 ± 1.8 months. The mean surgical time was 64.3±10.6 minutes. The average length of hospital stay was 1 day. At the final follow-up, the mean VAS for arm pain improved from 6.4 ± 0.7 to 0.6 ± 0.5 (92% improvement) and the mean VAS for neck pain improved from 3.3 ± 0.4 to 2.0 ± 0.2 (40% improvement). NDI score improved from 23.2 ± 1.95 to 5.7 ± 0.6 at the final follow-up (75% improvement). There were no complications. UBE is a safe and effective surgical treatment option for patients with CSR with excellent clinical outcomes. Clinical relevance of this case series study is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the novel unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and its short term clinical outcomes.

Phrenic Nerve Palsy After Posterior Cervical Fusion: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Cervical nerve palsies, most commonly C5, are relatively common following posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) for the management of cervical myelopathy. However, phrenic nerve palsy following PCDF is a rare complication documented in only one previous case report. The authors present a case of phrenic nerve palsy following PCDF. The patient is a 51-year-old male who presented with cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy as well as cervicalgia of 1 year's duration. The patient underwent C3-C6 posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF). On postoperative day 5, he was found to have a right C5 nerve palsy, which improved with steroid use and physical therapy. When he returned at 7 weeks postoperatively, the patient had progressive dyspnea. A fluoroscopic exam by pulmonology revealed a right-sided phrenic nerve palsy was the cause of the dyspnea. Phrenic nerve palsy causing hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare complication of cervical spine surgery that requires a high degree of suspicion due to the nonspecific signs and symptoms. Our clinical case suggests that surgeons should bear in mind phrenic nerve palsy as a potential complication in patients with respiratory distress following cervical laminectomy.

Is the Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament a Positive Factor for the Fusion after Posterior Cervical Fusion and Decompression?

Objective: Multilevel posterior cervical fusion (PCF) and decompression surgery is a viable treatment option for multilevel ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and spondylotic myelopathy. Since OPLL is known to affect bone formation, this study aimed to examine the effect of OPLL on the incidence of pseudarthrosis following PCF in a cohort study. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with PCF and laminectomy at our institution. This study included patients who underwent C3 to C6 posterior fusion surgery involving lateral mass screw fixation without anterior surgery for OPLL or spondylotic myelopathy. Fusion status was evaluated 1 year postoperatively with computed tomography. Bone mineral density (BMD) and sagittal parameters were also evaluated as potential contributing factors to the fusion rate.Results: Eighty patients were included. Pseudarthrosis was observed in 22.5% (n=18) of patients. Pseudarthrosis incidence was lower in patients with OPLL (spondylosis vs. OPLL, 33.3% vs. 12.2%; p=0.003), and a higher BMD T-score (pseudarthrosis vs. fusion, -1.9 ± 0.7 vs. -0.6 ± 1.3; p<0.01), a larger preoperative range of motion (ROM) (26.7 ± 13.3 vs. 17.6 ± 10.9; p=0.01), and a greater preoperative-to-postoperative decrease in cervical lordosis (-8.1 ± 7.9 vs. -2.7 ± 7.9; p<0.01). Pseudarthrosis was associated with worsening neck pain after surgery. Conclusion: The absence of OPLL, lower BMD, larger preoperative ROM, and a greater decrease in postoperative cervical lordosis were identified as risk factors for pseudarthrosis after multiple PCF.

Comparison of RVU Reimbursement in Anterior or Posterior Approach for Single- and Multilevel Cervical Spinal Fusion.

Retrospective database study. This study aims to quantify and compare mean work RVUs (wRVUs), mean operative time (OpTime), and wRVUs/min in single- and multilevel anterior and posterior cervical spine fusions performed between 2011 and 2020. Prior research has demonstrated inconsistencies in technical skill, operative time, and surgical difficulty with reimbursement in various orthopedic subspecialties. Although trends investigating physician effort and reimbursement have been investigated in lumbar spine surgery, less research has examined these relationships with respect to cervical spine procedures. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) was queried for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes reflecting anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF), and the number of levels involved. The cohort was stratified into 10 groups: single-level, 2-level, 3-level, 4-level, 5+ level anterior or posterior cervical fusions. Mean operative times, mean wRVUs, and wRVU/min were calculated and compared by Student t test. A total of 100,997 patients met inclusion criteria in this study, of which 79,141 (78.36%) underwent ACDF, whereas 21,836 (21.62%) underwent PCDF. One- and 2-level fusions were most common in both ACDF and PCDF. In 1-, 3-, 4-, and 5+ level fusion, the anterior approach demonstrated significantly lower mean wRVU (P<0.001). In 1-, 2-, and 3-level fusions, the anterior approach had significantly lower operation times (P<0.001). The anterior approach demonstrated significantly higher wRVU/min in 1- and 2- levels (P<0.001) but lower wRVU/min in 3- and 4-level fusions (P<0.001). Clear discrepancies exist between surgical approach and levels of fusion in cervical spine procedures incongruous with markers of surgical difficulty, physician effort, or expertise required. These specific results suggest that the complexity of multi-level anterior cervical fusions are not effectively accounted for by existing RVU measures.

Identifying Factors for Predicting Postoperative Segmental Motor Paralysis in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Multicenter Study.

Retrospective cohort study. To investigate the incidence of and risk factors for segmental motor paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery. Segmental motor paralysis is a potential complication following both anterior and posterior cervical decompression procedures; however, previous studies investigating risk factors for segmental motor paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery were limited by small sample sizes. Consequently, the exact pathogenesis and risk factors for this complication remain poorly understood, highlighting the need for larger-scale investigations focused exclusively on anterior cervical spine surgeries. We retrospectively reviewed the clinico-demographic and operative factors and postoperative outcomes of 1,428 patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery at three spine centers in Japan. Postoperative segmental motor paralysis was defined as deterioration of upper extremity muscle strength by ≥1 grade; recovery was defined as a return to preoperative muscle strength levels. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors. Ninety-nine patients (6.9%) developed segmental motor paralysis, mostly involving the C5 segment (81.8%), the incidence being highest in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and those undergoing anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion or hybrid fusion (discectomy + corpectomy). Older age, male sex, higher body mass index, OPLL, and cervical corpectomy were independent risk factors for paralysis, with these patients having significantly worse clinical outcomes at 1 year postoperatively. Most patients (74/99, 79.6%) regained preoperative muscle strength levels an final follow up. This study identified important clinico-demographic and operative risk factors for segmental motor paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery. Patients undergoing corpectomy, with or without OPLL, were found to be at particularly high risk. While most patients recover well, worse outcomes with segmental motor paralysis highlight the importance of preventing this complication, particularly for OPLL patients and corpectomy procedures. III.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Cervical Disc Replacement Versus Posterior Endoscopic Cervical Decompression: A Matched-Pair Comparison Analysis.

To compare clinical and radiographic outcomes between 2 motion preservation surgeries, cervical disc replacement (CDR) and posterior endoscopic cervical decompression (PECD), for unilateral cervical radiculopathy. Between February 2018 and December 2020, 60 patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy who underwent either CDR or PECD were retrospectively recruited as matched pairs. Clinical outcomes included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for neck and arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and satisfaction rates. The radiographic outcome was index level motion. Intraoperative data, complications, and hospital stay were collected. Preoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared. Patients undergoing CDR or PECD were included, with 30 cases in each group. Matched pairs were compared in terms of demographic data and preoperative measurements. CDR was associated with shorter operative times, whereas PECD resulted in less intraoperative blood loss. The total complication rate was 5%. NDI and VAS for neck and arm were significantly improved in both groups, with no significant differences between the 2 groups. Satisfaction rates of good and excellent exceeded 87% in both groups. CDR was superior to PECD in the restoration of disc height. Early postoperative follow-up showed no significant difference in terms of index level motion. PECD demonstrated significantly shorter hospital stays and quicker return-to-work times (p<0.05). PECD achieved equivalent clinical and radiologic outcomes compared with CDR when the certain criteria for surgery were met. Both techniques demonstrated the potential to maintain index level motion. Additionally, PECD resulted in less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster return-to-work times. Conversely, CDR offered shorter operative times and better restoration of disc height.

"White Cord Syndrome" as clinical manifestation of the spinal cord reperfusion syndrome: a systematic review of risk factors, treatments, and outcome.

Paralysis subsequent to spinal cord decompression in the cervical or thoracic region is infrequent, with White Cord Syndrome (WCS) being among its several causes. Due to WCS's infrequency, there exists a paucity of high-level evidence concerning its manifestations. Our primary objective is to systematically collate all documented WCS cases, discern prevalent risk and prognostic factors, appraise available treatment modalities, and evaluate patient outcomes. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The search included PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria required studies to be written in English, be case reports, and contain data on clinical features, management, and treatment outcomes. Exclusion criteria excluded meta-analyses, reviews, editorials, letters, books, studies with insufficient clinical data, and studies not in English or with unavailable full texts. Grey literature was not actively pursued due to identification challenges, potentially introducing selection bias. Two authors independently evaluated papers based on criteria. Disagreements were resolved with a third author. Additionally, the included articles' references were screened for additional relevant articles. We found a total of 580 articles through our electronic search. After removing duplicates, 399 articles were screened. Out of the remaining 51 studies, 27 were included in the final quantitative analysis. The average age was 54 (3-79 years) with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1, 33% had OPLL, and Common medical histories were hypertension (30%), diabetes mellitus (20%), and previous ACDF surgery (8%). Of all Surgeries, 70% were done with a posterior approach and 30% with the anterior approach. 48% of cases used Intraoperative NeuroMonitoring(IONM), and Loss of Motor Evoked Potentials (MEP) occurred in 37% of cases. Patients received high-dose intravenous steroids. In 26% of cases, additional posterior cervical decompression was performed, and efforts were made to maintain mean arterial pressure above 85 mmHg in 37% of cases. Other medications were administered in 30% of cases. Over an average 26-week follow-up, 37% of patients had good recovery, 40% had partial recovery, and 23% showed no recovery. The average final Nurick grade was 3.2. WCS is a rare cause of postoperative neurological deficit following spinal cord decompression surgery. Risk factors for WCS include advanced age, extensive surgery, posterior approach for decompression, and the presence of OPLL. Treatment includes high-dose steroids, posterior cervical decompression, maintaining MAP over 85mmHg, rehabilitation, and sometimes neurotrophic drugs. Most patients can walk with or without assistance during follow-up, but around a quarter never regain neurological function. The only preoperative factor impacting outcomes is the preoperative neurological status (Nurick Grade).

Cervical Collar Use Following Cervical Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review.

The utility and risks associated with the use of cervical collars in the postoperative period after cervical spine surgery have been of debate. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the currently available evidence on the use of cervical collars after cervical spine surgery to assess their impact on outcomes. A literature search of the PubMed database was performed using keywords "cervical collar," "anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)," "posterior cervical decompression and fusion," "laminoplasty," "post-operative orthotic bracing," "cervical decompression," and "cervical orthosis" in all possible combinations. All English studies with the level of evidence of I to IV that were published from May 1, 1986, to December 3, 2023, were considered for inclusion. A total of 25 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were identified and reviewed. Regarding anterior and posterior fusion procedures, cervical collar use demonstrated improved short-term patient-reported outcomes and pain control. While surgeon motivation for collar use was to increase fusion rates, this is not well drawn out in the literature with the majority of studies demonstrated no significant difference in fusion rates between patients who wore a cervical collar and those who did not. Regarding motion-preserving procedures such as cervical laminoplasty, patients with prolonged postoperative cervical collar use demonstrated increased rates of axial neck pain and decreased final range of motion (ROM). Surgeon motivation for postoperative cervical collar immobilization after completion of fusion procedures is to increase fusion rates and improve postoperative pain and disability despite this not being fully drawn out in the literature. After completion of motion-sparing procedures, the benefits of collar immobilization diminish with their prolonged use which could lead to increased rates of axial neck pain and decreased ROM. Cervical collar immobilization in the postoperative period should be considered its own intervention, with its own associated risk-benefit profile. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Cervical One-Hole Split Endoscopic Keyhole Surgery for Cervical Radiculopathy.

One-hole Split Endoscopy (OSE) is a newer surgical modality that can be applied to posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF), lumbar discectomy, laminectomy, and decompression. It incorporates intervertebral foraminotomy, open surgery, and other lumboendoscopic techniques with a wide observation field, free space, and compatibility with various spinal surgical techniques and instruments. This study investigated the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive posterior cervical nucleus pulposus removal for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) by OSE-Keyhole technique. This was a retrospective study of 63 patients treated with OSE keyhole treatment for CSR between May 2021 and September 2023 at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao, China), and Second Hospital of Shandong University, respectively. Clinical outcomes included patients' preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) - arm and neck, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Assessment Treatment Score (JOA) - cervical spine, which were collected at baseline, two days postoperatively, one month postoperatively, and three months postoperatively after the last follow-up visit for evaluation, and perioperative indicators, including intraoperative bleeding, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and reoperations, which were also collected. Statistical analyses were performed for the baseline data and follow-up results of 63 patients. Compared to the preoperative baseline values, the follow-up results two days, one month and three months after surgery showed significant improvements in vas-arm, neck and JOA scores in the operated patients (P<0.05) as well as a reduction in all perioperative-related indices. In the treatment of cervical pain and disability due to radiculopathy, OSE keyhole removal of the posterior cervical nucleus pulposus is a better clinical option as it is less invasive and recovers better postoperatively.

Neuromonitoring Signal Changes in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: An Analysis of Risk Factors for Signal Drops During Posterior Cervical Decompression

To analyze intraoperative neuromonitoring data of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy undergoing cervical laminectomy and assess the incidence of signal drops and their risk factors. This retrospective observational study included patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy who underwent cervical laminectomy with intraoperative neuromonitoring between July 2018 and March 2023. We analyzed the signal changes for any correlation with the type of pathology (ossified posterior longitudinal ligament vs. cervical spondylotic myelopathy [CSM]) and clinical (severity of myelopathy, duration of symptoms) and radiological (length of cord signal changes and K-line) parameters. Of 100 degenerative cervical myelopathy cases, 55 were diagnosed as OPLL and 45 as CSM. Signal drops were recorded in 26 patients-14 persistent drops and 12 transient drops. True positive drops were seen in 4 patients (2 OPLL and 2 CSM), 3 of whom had sustained bimodal drops (both somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potentials). Signal drops were significantly more frequent with OPLL compared with CSM (P < 0.01). Ten of 14 persistent signal drops and 9 of 12 transient drops were seen in patients in OPLL. Continuous OPLL, negative K-line, hill type OPLL, severity of myelopathy, and longer duration of symptoms were risk factors for signal drops. Patients with cervical OPLL have a higher incidence of false positive and transient signal drops after decompression compared with patients with CSM. Longer duration of symptoms, high-grade myelopathy, continuous OPLL, hill type OPLL, and negative K-line were risk factors for signal drops.

Microbubble Contrast-Enhanced Transcutaneous Ultrasound Enables Real-Time Spinal Cord Perfusion Monitoring Following Posterior Cervical Decompression

Ultrasound imaging is inexpensive, portable, and widely available. The development of a real-time transcutaneous spinal cord perfusion monitoring system would allow more precise targeting of mean arterial pressure goals following acute spinal cord injury (SCI). There has been no prior demonstration of successful real-time cord perfusion monitoring in humans. Four adult patients who had undergone posterior cervical decompression and instrumentation at a single center were enrolled into this prospective feasibility study. All participants had undergone cervical laminectomies spanning ≥2 contiguous levels ≥2months prior to inclusion with no history of SCI. The first 2 underwent transcutaneous ultrasound without contrast and the second 2 underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with intravenously injected microbubble contrast. Using noncontrast ultrasound with or without Doppler (n= 2), the dura, spinal cord, and vertebral bodies were apparent however ultrasonography was insufficient to discern intramedullary perfusion or clear white-gray matter differentiation. With application of microbubble contrast (n= 2), it was possible to quantify differential spinal cord perfusion within and between cross-sectional regions of the cord. Further, it was possible to quantify spinal cord hemodynamic perfusion using CEUS by measuring peak signal intensity and the time to peak signal intensity after microbubble contrast injection. Time-intensity curves were generated and area under the curves were calculated as a marker of tissue perfusion. CEUS is a viable platform for monitoring real-time cord perfusion in patients who have undergone prior cervical laminectomies. Further development has the potential to change clinical management acute SCI by tailoring treatments to measured tissue perfusion parameters.

Postoperative opioid consumption patterns diverge between propensity matched patients undergoing traumatic and elective cervical spine fusion

BACKGROUND CONTEXTProlonged opioid therapy following spine surgery is an ongoing postoperative concern. While prior studies have investigated postoperative opioid use patterns in the elective cervical surgery patient population, to our knowledge, opioid use patterns in patients undergoing surgery for traumatic cervical spine injuries have not been elucidated. PURPOSEThe purpose of this study was to compare opioid use and prescription patterns in the postoperative pain management of patients undergoing traumatic and elective cervical spine fusion surgery. STUDY DESIGNRetrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLEAdult patients with traumatic cervical injuries who underwent primary anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) during their initial hospital admission. The propensity matched, control group consisted of adult elective cervical fusion patients who underwent primary ACDF or PCDF. OUTCOME MEASURESDemographic data, surgical characteristics, spinal disease diagnosis, location of cervical injury, procedure type, operative levels fused, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data. PDMP data included the number of opioid prescriptions filled, preoperative opioid use, postoperative opioid use, and use of perioperative benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, or gabapentin. Opioid consumption data was collected in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) and standardized per day. METHODSA 1:1 propensity match was performed to match traumatic injury patients undergoing cervical fusion surgery with elective cervical fusion patients. Traumatic injury patients were matched based on age, sex, CCI, procedure type, and cervical levels fused. Pre- and postoperative opioid, benzodiazepine, muscle relaxant, and gabapentin use were assessed for the traumatic injury and elective patients. T- or Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare continuous data and Chi-Squared or Fisher's Exact were used to compare categorical data. Multivariate stepwise regression using MME per day 0 – 30 days following surgery as the dependent outcome was performed to further evaluate associations with postoperative opioid use. RESULTSA total of 48 patients underwent fusion surgery for a traumatic cervical spine injury and 48 elective cervical fusion with complete PDMP data were assessed. Elective patients were found to fill more prescriptions (3.19 vs 0.65, p=.023) and take more morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day (0.60 vs 0.04, p=.014) within 1 year prior to surgery in comparison to traumatic patients. Elective patients were also more likely to use opioids (29.2% vs 10.4%, p=.040) and take more MMEs per day (0.70 vs 0.05, p=.004) within 30 days prior to surgery. Within 30 days postoperatively, elective patients used opioids more frequently (89.6% vs 52.1%, p<.001) and took more MMEs per day (3.73 vs 1.71, p<.001) than traumatic injury patients. Multivariate stepwise regression demonstrated preoperative opioid use (Estimate: 1.87, p=.013) to be correlated with higher postoperative MME per day within 30 days of surgery. Surgery after traumatic injury was correlated with lower postoperative MME use per day within 30 days of surgery (Estimate: −1.63 p=.022). CONCLUSIONCervical fusion patients with a history of traumatic spine injury consume fewer opioids in the early postoperative period in comparison to elective cervical fusion patients, however both cohorts consumed a similar amount after the initial 30-day postoperative period. Preoperative opioid use was also a risk factor for higher consumption in the short-term postoperative period. These results may aid physicians in further understanding patients’ postoperative care needs based on presenting injury characteristics and highlights the need for enhanced follow-up care for traumatic cervical spine injury patients after fusion surgery.

Stopping at C2 Versus C3/4 in Elective Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion: A 5-Year Follow-up Study.

This is a retrospective cohort study. In patients undergoing elective posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion (PCLF) with a minimum of 5-year follow-up, we sought to compare reoperation rates between patients with an upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) of C2 versus C3/4. The long-term outcomes of choosing between C2 versus C3/4 as the UIV in PCLF remain unclear. A single-institution, retrospective cohort study from a prospective registry was conducted of patients undergoing elective, degenerative PCLF from December 2010 to June 2018. The primary exposure was UIV of C2 versus C3/4. The primary outcome was reoperation. Multivariable logistic regression controlled for age, smoking, diabetes, and fusion to the thoracic spine. Of the 68 patients who underwent PCLF with 5-year follow-up, 27(39.7%) had a UIV of C2, and 41(60.3%) had a UIV of either C3/4. Groups had similar duration of symptoms (P=0.743), comorbidities (P>0.999), and rates of instrumentation to the thoracic spine (70.4% vs. 53.7%, P=0.210). The C2 group had significantly longer operative time (231.8±65.9 vs. 181.6±44.1mins, P<0.001) and more fused segments (5.9±1.8 vs. 4.2±0.9, P<0.001). Reoperation rate was lower in the C2 group compared with C3/4 (7.4% vs. 19.5%), though this did not reach statistical significance (P=0.294). Multivariable logistic regression showed increased odds of reoperation for the C3/4 group compared with the C2 group (OR=3.29, 95%CI=0.59-18.11, P=0.170), though statistical significance was not reached. Similarly, the C2 group had a lower rate of instrumentation failure (7.4% vs. 12.2%, P=0.694) and adjacent segment disease/disk herniation (0% vs. 7.3%, P=0.271), though neither trend attained statistical significance. Patients with a UIV of C2 had less than half the number of reoperations and less adjacent segment disease, though neither trend was statistically significant. Despite a lack of statistical significance, whether a clinically meaningful difference exists between UIV of C2 versus C3/4 should be validated in larger samples with long-term follow-up. Level-3.

The Effect of C2 Muscular Exposure Technique on Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes After C2-T2 Posterior Cervical Fusion.

Retrospective cohort analysis. To determine whether the C2 exposure technique was a predictor of change in cervical alignment and patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) after posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) for degenerative indications. In PCDF handling of the C2 posterior paraspinal musculature during the operative approach varies by surgeon technique. To date, no studies have investigated whether maintenance of the upper cervical semispinalis cervicis attachments as compared with complete reflection of upper cervical paraspinal musculature from the posterior bony elements is associated with superior radiographic and clinical outcomes after PCDF. All adult patients who underwent C2-T2 PCDF for myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy at multi-institutional academic centers between 2013 and 2020 were retrospectively identified. Patients were dichotomized by the C2 exposure technique into semispinalis preservation or midline muscular reflection groups. Preoperative and short and long-term postoperative radiographic outcomes (upper cervical alignment, global alignment, and fusion status) and PROMs (Visual Analog Scale-Neck, Neck Disability Index, and Short Form-12) were collected. Univariate analysis compared patient factors, radiographic measures, and PROMs across C2 exposure groups. A total of 129 patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria (73 muscle preservation and 56 muscle reflection). Patients in the muscular preservation group were on average younger (P= 0.005) and more likely to have bone morphogenic protein (P< 0.001) and C2 pars screws (P= 0.006) used during surgery. Preoperative to postoperative changes in C2 slope, C2 tilt, C2-C3 segmental lordosis, C2-C3 listhesis, C0-C2 Cobb angle, proximal junctional kyphosis, ADI, C1 lamina-occiput distance, C2 sagittal vertical axis, C2-C7 lordosis, and PROMs at all follow-up intervals did not vary significantly by C2 exposure technique. Likewise, there were no significant differences in fusion status, C2-C3 pseudoarthrosis, C2 screw loosening, and complication and revision rates between C2 exposure groups. Preservation of C2 semispinalis attachments versus muscular reflection did not significantly impact cervical alignment, clinical outcomes, or proximal junction complications in long-segment PCDF. Level III.

The effect of C2 screw type on perioperative outcomes and long-term stability after C2-T2 posterior cervical decompression and fusion.

To determine if C2 pedicle versus pars screw type predicts change in fusion status, C2 screw loosening, cervical alignment, and patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) after C2-T2 posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PDCF). All adult patients who underwent C2-T2 PCDF for myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy between 2013-2020 were retrospectively identified. Patients were dichotomized by C2 screw type into bilateral C2 pedicle and bilateral C2 pars screw groups. Preoperative and short- and long-term postoperative radiographic outcomes and PROMs were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis compared patient factors, fusion status, radiographic measures, and PROMs across groups. A total of 159 patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria (76 bilateral pedicle screws, 83 bilateral pars screws). Patients in the C2 pars relative to C2 pedicle screw group were on average more likely to have bone morphogenic protein (p = 0.001) and four-millimeter diameter rods utilized intraoperatively (p = 0.033). There were no significant differences in total construct and C2-3 fusion rate, C2 screw loosening, or complication and revision rates between C2 screw groups in univariate and regression analysis. Changes in C2 tilt, C2-3 segmental lordosis, C0-2 Cobb angle, proximal junctional kyphosis, atlanto-dens interval, C1 lamina-occiput distance, C2 sagittal vertical axis, C2-7 lordosis, and PROMs at all follow-up intervals did not vary significantly by C2 screw type. There were no significant differences in fusion status, hardware complications, and radiographic and clinical outcomes based on C2 screw type following C2-T2 PCDF. Accordingly, intraoperative usage criteria can be flexible based on patient vertebral artery positioning and surgeon comfort level.

167 Association Between Safety-net Hospital Status and Postoperative Outcomes Following ACDF or PCDF for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

INTRODUCTION: Few prior studies have addressed the impact of safety-net hospital (SNH) status on outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the 2016–2019 National Inpatient Sample Database. All adult patients (&gt;18 years old) undergoing elective ACDF or PCDF for CSM, identified using ICD-10-CM coding, were stratified into SNH and non-SNH (N-SNH) cohorts. Hospitals in the top quartile of Medicaid/uninsured patient admissions were defined as SNHs. Demographics, treating hospital characteristics, comorbidities, operative variables, adverse events (AEs), LOS, discharge disposition, and costs were assessed. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of prolonged LOS, non-routine discharge (NRD) disposition, and increased costs for ACDF and PCDF. RESULTS: Of the 49,945 study patients, 34,195 (68.5%) underwent ACDF and 15,750 (31.5%) underwent PCDF. Within the ACDF cohort, 8,025 patients (23.5%) were treated at SNHs. Among patients undergoing PCDF, 4,120 (26.2%) were treated at SNHs. Patients treated at SNHs were more likely to be Black- or Hispanic-identifying and have incomes in the bottom quartile in both cohorts. Mean LOS was significantly greater in the SNH cohorts for both procedures (ACDF:N-SNH: 2.43 ± 3.12 days vs SNH: 2.94 ± 4.13 days, p &lt;0.001; PCDF:N-SNH: 4.36 ± 4.28 days vs SNH: 5.41 ± 8.67 days, p = 0.002), as were mean costs (ACDF:N-SNH: $20,991 ± $12,126 vs SNH: $22,412 ± $15,302, p = 0.010; PCDF:N-SNH: $25,835 ± $16,812 vs SNH: $28,945 ± $29,166, p = 0.010). A significantly greater proportion of patients in the ACDF cohort treated at SNHs experienced NRDs (N-SNH: 10.9% vs SNH: 13.9%, p = 0.006). On multivariate analysis, SNH status was not significantly associated with extended LOS [ACDF: p = 0.097; PCDF: p = 0.158], NRD [ACDF: p = 0.288; PCDF: p = 0.246], or increased costs [ACDF: p = 0.664; PCDF: p = 0.593]. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest SNH status may not significantly impact postoperative outcomes following ACDF and PCDF.

Resource Utilization Following Anterior Versus Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion for Acute Central Cord Syndrome.

Retrospective cohort study. The purpose of this study is to compare the impact of anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) versus posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) for the treatment of acute traumatic central cord syndrome (CCS) on hospital episodes of care in terms of (1) cost, (2) length of hospital stay, and (3) discharge destination. Acute traumatic CCS is the most common form of spinal cord injury in the United States. CCS is commonly treated with surgical decompression and fusion. Hospital resource utilization based on surgical approach remains unclear. Patients undergoing ACDF and PCDF for acute traumatic CCS were identified using the 2019 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review Limited Data Set and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 2019 Impact File. Multivariate models for hospital cost of care, length of stay, and discharge destination were performed, controlling for confounders. Subanalysis of accommodation and revenue center cost drivers was performed. There were 1474 cases that met inclusion criteria: 673 ACDF (45.7%) and 801 PCDF (54.3%). ACDF was independently associated with a decreased cost of $9802 ( P <0.001) and a 59.2% decreased risk of discharge to nonhome destinations (adjusted odds ratio: 0.408, P <0.001). The difference in length of stay was not statistically significant. On subanalysis of cost drivers, ACDF was associated with decreased charges ($55,736, P <0.001) compared with PCDF, the largest drivers being the intensive care unit ($15,873, 28% of total charges, P <0.001) and medical/surgical supply charges ($19,651, 35% of total charges, P <0.001). For treatment of acute traumatic CCS, ACDF was associated with almost $10,000 less expensive cost of care and a 60% decreased risk of discharge to nonhome destination compared with PCDF. The largest cost drivers appear to be ICU and medical/surgical-related. These findings may inform value-based decisions regarding the treatment of acute traumatic CCS. However, injury and patient clinical factors should always be prioritized in surgical decision-making, and increased granularity in reimbursement policies is needed to prevent financial disincentives in the treatment of patients with CCS better addressed with posterior approach-surgery.

Microvascular decompression of a vertebral artery loop causing cervical radiculopathy: illustrative case.

Vertebral artery loops are a rare cause of cervical radiculopathy. Surgical options for nerve root decompression include an anterior or posterior approach, with or without additional microvascular decompression. The authors describe a case of a 49-year-old man with a long-standing history of left-sided neck pain and migraines, who was found to have a vertebral artery loop in the left C3-4 neural foramen compressing the left C4 nerve root. The patient underwent a posterior cervical decompression with instrumented fusion and macrovascular decompression of the left C4 nerve root via Teflon felt insertion. In a literature review, we identified 20 similar cases that had also been managed surgically. Although the anterior approach is more frequently described in the literature, a posterior approach for nerve compression by a vertebral artery loop is also a safe and effective treatment. The authors report the third case of this surgical approach with a good outcome.

Discrepancies in recommendations for return to regular activities after cervical spine surgery: A survey study

BackgroundThe recommended timing for returning to common activities after cervical spine surgery varies widely among physicians based on training background and personal opinion, without clear guidelines or consensus. The purpose of this study was to analyze spine surgeons’ responses about the recommended timing for returning to common activities after different cervical spine procedures. MethodsThis was a survey study including 91 spine surgeons. The participants were asked to complete an anonymous online survey. Questions regarding their recommended time for returning to regular activities (showering, driving, biking, running, swimming, sedentary work, and nonsedentary work) after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF), cervical disc replacement (CDR), posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF), and laminoplasty were included. Comparisons of recommended times for return to activities after each surgical procedure were made based on surgeons’ years in practice. ResultsFor ACDF and PCDF, there were no statistically significant differences in recommended times for return to any activity when stratified by years in practice. When considering CDR, return to non-sedentary work differed between surgeons in practice for 10 to 15 years, who recommended return at 3 months, and all other groups of surgeons, who recommended 6 weeks. Laminoplasty surgery yielded the most variability in activity recommendations, with earlier recommended return (6 weeks) to biking, non-sedentary work, and sedentary work in the most experienced surgeon group (>15 years in practice) than in all other surgeon experience groups (3 months). ConclusionsWe observed significant variability in surgeon recommendations for return to regular activities after cervical spine surgery.

Elective Single-Level Primary Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion for Degenerative Spondylotic Cervical Myelopathy Is Associated With Decreased Resource Utilization Versus Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion.

Retrospective cohort study. To compare elective single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) versus posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) in terms of (1) cost, (2) length of hospital stay, and (3) discharge destination in Medicare patients. A sub-analysis of potential cost drivers was also performed. In the era of value-based medicine, there is substantial interest in reducing the cost of care. Both ACDF and PCDF are used to treat DCM but carry different morbidity and risk profiles that can impact hospital resource utilization. However, this has not been assessed on a national level. Patients undergoing single-level elective ACDF and PCDF surgery were identified using the 2019 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) Limited Data Set (LDS) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2019 Impact File. Multivariate models of hospital cost of care, length of stay, and discharge destination were performed, controlling for confounders. A univariate sub-analysis of 9 revenue centers was performed. In all, 3942 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean cost of elective single-level cervical fusion for myelopathy was $18,084±10,783, and the mean length of stay was 2.45±2.95d. On multivariate analysis, ACDF was independently associated with decreased cost of $5,814 ( P <0.001), shorter length of stay by 1.1 days ( P <0.001), and decreased risk of nonhome discharge destination by 58% (adjusted odds ratio: 0.422, P <0.001).On sub-analysis of 9 revenue centers, medical/surgical supply ($10,497, 44%), operating room charges ($5401, 23%), and accommodations ($3999, 17%) were the largest drivers of charge differences. Single-level elective primary ACDF for DCM was independently associated with decreased cost, decreased hospital length of stay, and a lower rate of nonhome discharge compared with PCDF. Medical and surgical supply, operating room, and accommodation differences between ACDF and PCDF are potential areas for intervention. Increased granularity in reimbursement structures is warranted to prevent the creation of disincentives to the treatment of patients with DCM with pathology that is better addressed with PCDF. Level-III Retrospective Cohort Study.