Does smoking influence fusion rates in posterior cervical arthrodesis with lateral mass instrumentation?
BACKGROUND
Smoking is associated with reduced fusion rates after anterior cervical decompression and arthrodesis procedures. Posterior cervical arthrodesis procedures are believed to have a higher fusion rate than anterior procedures.


OBJECTIVE
We asked whether smoking (1) would reduce the fusion rate in posterior cervical procedures; and (2) be associated with increased pain, decreased activity level, and a decreased rate of return of work as compared with nonsmokers.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 158 patients who had a posterior cervical fusion with lateral mass instrumentation and iliac crest bone grafting between 2003 and 2008. Fusion rates and Odom Criteria grades were compared among smokers and nonsmokers. The minimum followup was 3 months (average, 14.5 months; range, 3-72 months).


RESULTS
Smokers and nonsmokers had similar fusion rates (100%). Although 80% of patients had Odom Criteria Grade I or II, smokers were five times more likely to have Grade III or IV with considerable limitation of physical activity. Age, gender, and diagnosis did not influence fusion rates or the Odom Criteria grade.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to the effect of smoking on anterior cervical fusion, we found smoking did not decrease posterior cervical fusion with lateral mass instrumentation and iliac crest bone grafting. Posterior cervical fusion with lateral mass instrumentation should be considered over anterior procedures in smokers if the abnormality can appropriately be addressed from a posterior approach.


METHODS
Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Eubanks
Jason David
JD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Spine Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Thorpe
Steven W
SW
Cheruvu
Vinay K
VK
Braly
Brett A
BA
Kang
James D
JD
D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000187:drug effects*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000601:surgery; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery