Settling of fibula strut grafts following multilevel anterior cervical corpectomy: a radiographic evaluation.
METHODS
This is a retrospective study of settling of fibula strut grafts used for anterior cervical reconstruction.


OBJECTIVE
To measure settling and kyphotic angulation of uninstrumented fibula strut graft reconstruction for two- and three-level cervical corpectomy procedures.


BACKGROUND
Clinical experience indicates that some settling of anterior fibula strut grafts used in anterior cervical reconstruction will occur. The amount of settling and subsequent kyphosis using this technique has not been documented in the literature.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients having had nonvascularized autogenous fibula strut grafting without instrumentation following a two- or three-level corpectomy were studied. Baseline radiographic measurements of height and angulation on postoperative radiographs before hospital discharge were compared with measurements performed at least 2 years after surgery. Clinical follow-up was also available on all patients.


RESULTS
The average settling manifested by loss of height across the fused segments was 6.7 mm (standard deviation, 5.71 mm). The average change in angulation was 2.5 degrees into kyphosis (standard deviation, 6.09 degrees ). Loss of height and angulation were not statistically different for two- versus three-level corpectomy patients. Pain outcomes did not correlate with the amount of settling or angulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Some settling of autogenous fibula strut grafting without instrumentation can be expected. These findings did not correlate with residual postoperative axial neck pain.
Hughes
Steven S
SS
Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic, Arlington, VA.
Pringle
Timothy
T
Phillips
Frank
F
Emery
Sanford
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome