Long-term results over 10 years of anterior corpectomy and fusion for multilevel cervical myelopathy.
METHODS
Retrospective long-term outcome analysis over more than 10 years.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term results of anterior corpectomy and fibular strut grafting over > or =4 disc levels for cervical myelopathy, and identify factors affecting the late deterioration in clinical outcome.


BACKGROUND
Few studies have shown long-term results after anterior corpectomy and strut grafting. There is little detailed information about the long-term effects of multilevel anterior corpectomy and fusion for cervical myelopathy.


METHODS
A total of 31 cases were available for the 10-year follow-up after surgery (86% follow-up rate). Clinical results and radiographic measurements were obtained before surgery, 3 months after surgery, and at follow-up.


RESULTS
There were 3 patients who had deterioration of the Japanese Orthopedic Association score of 1 point because of increasing hand numbness; 1 patient had adjacent disc degeneration, and 1 had pseudarthrosis without additional stenosis on magnetic resonance imaging. Adjacent disc degeneration did not affect the clinical results (P = 0.76).


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term follow-up showed stable clinical results for more than 10 years, which depended on the thorough removal of the possible causes of the myelopathy, such as ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament or a degenerated disc. Adjacent disc degeneration has minimal effects on the long-term clinical results after anterior long fusion.
Ikenaga
Minoru
M
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kyoto City Hospital, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, Japan. taketori@nyc.odn.ne.jp
Shikata
Jitsuhiko
J
Tanaka
Chiaki
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome