Early reconstruction failures after multilevel cervical corpectomy.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of graft and plate complications after multilevel anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACF) attributed to spondylosis, stenosis, and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament was conducted.


OBJECTIVE
To identify factors contributing to graft and plate complications in this population.


BACKGROUND
Biomechanical factors contributing to the increased morbidity associated with plated multilevel ACF were evaluated.


METHODS
Graft- and/or plate-related complications were retrospectively reviewed in 33 patients undergoing two-level ACF reconstructions and in seven patients having three-level ACF reconstructions performed with iliac crest grafting and instrumentation with a fixed-plated design (cervical spine locking plate). Neurologic status was assessed before surgery and after surgery using both the Nurick Grading Scale and modified JOA (Japanese Orthopaedic Association) Score. The patients were observed an average of 31.4 months after surgery. The follow-up included lateral flexion and extension radiographs and a neurologic examination.


RESULTS
Two of the 33 patients undergoing two-level fusions available for long-term follow-up after surgery developed reconstruction failures. All of the remaining fusions were successful, demonstrated by lateral flexion and extension radiographs. Seven patients had plated three-level corpectomy reconstructions. Five of the seven who had anterior-only reconstruction failed.


CONCLUSIONS
A two-level ACF reconstruction is reliable with an anterior strut graft and fixed screw plate construct. A three-level ACF reconstruction is not reliably achieved with an anterior-only construct. The construct failures may be attributed in part to the fixed-plated design being used, as well as the long lever arm of the construct.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a 6% failure rate after fixed-plated (cervical spine locking plate) two-level ACF reconstruction but a 71% failure rate after three-level fixed-plated ACF reconstruction. Future consideration should be given to simultaneous posterior fusion.
Sasso
Rick C
RC
Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana Spine Group, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260, USA. rsasso@on-net.net
Ruggiero
Robert A
RA
Reilly
Thomas M
TM
Hall
Peter V
PV
D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D017887:Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000601:surgery; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery; D017211:Treatment Failure