title: Repair of symptomatic pseudoarthrosis of anterior cervical fusion. Posterior versus anterior repair.
abstract: Thirty-four patients with symptomatic pseudarthrosis of anterior cervical fusion were treated. There were 16 men and 18 women. Eighteen patients had pseudarthrosis at 1 level; 14 at 2 levels; and 2 at 3 levels, with C5-6 and C6-7 levels most commonly involved. Anterior repair of pseudarthrosis was done in 17 patients, which resulted in 76% radiologic fusion. Of 17 patients repaired posteriorly, 94% achieved radiologic fusion. Average follow-up was 60 months, with a minimum of 24 months. "Excellent" or "Good" results were achieved in 59% of anterior repair and 88% of posterior fusion group. This study demonstrates that posterior cervical fusion is the more effective method for repairing symptomatic pseudarthrosis of anterior cervical fusion.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Center, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Brodsky
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Sassard
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001864:Bone Wires; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors