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BACKGROUND:Some patients with cervical spondylosis have not been fully corrected sagittal position balance after cervical surgery,and this continuous sagittal position imbalance may be an important reason for the poor long-term clinical outcome of patients. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the correlation between the cervical sagittal position balance parameters and their changes and the clinical efficacy of patients in the unbalanced state after anterior cervical decompression and fusion and to explore the necessity of surgical correction of sagittal balance in order to improve the clinical effect in the later stage. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed on 125 patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion in the Department of Spinal Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from July 2019 to July 2022.Follow-up patients had good postoperative recovery(neck disability index score less than 10%one week after surgery)and had complete follow-up data.According to the axial vertical distance(C2-7 SVA)in sagittal position one week after surgery,patients were divided into type I imbalance group(C2-7 SVA loss≤5 mm,n=27),type Ⅱ imbalance group(C2-7 SVA loss>5 mm,and≤10 mm,n=19),and type Ⅲ imbalance group(C2-7 SVA loss>10 mm,n=12),and non-unbalanced group(C2-7 SVA in the normal range,n=67).The changes of visual analog scale score and neck disability index were compared among groups postoperatively and the last follow-up,as well as the changes of imaging sagittal balance parameters C2-7 cobb angle,C2-7 SVA value,neck inclination angle,T1 inclination angle,and thoracic entrance angle.The correlation between the late clinical effect and postoperative cervical sagittal disequilibrium was explored. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistical difference in general data among the four groups(P>0.05).All patients underwent successful surgery without serious complications and postoperative wound infection.The follow-up time was more than 1 year.(2)There was no significant difference in preoperative symptom score and clinical efficacy one week after surgery(P>0.05).At the last follow-up,pain visual analog scale score,neck disability index and C2-7 SVA were lower than those before surgery but higher than those one week after surgery(P<0.05).C2-7 cobb angle was increased compared with those before operation(P<0.05).T1 inclination angle was decreased compared with those before operation(P<0.05).(3)Pearson correlation test showed that the change of neck disability index was positively correlated with the change of C2-7 SVA(P<0.05).(4)It is indicated that anterior cervical decompression and fusion is effective in the treatment of cervical spondylosis,and can effectively relieve the symptoms of patients.Patients with more severe cervical sagittal disequilibrium after surgery had worse curative effect in the later period.Continuous sagittal disequilibrium in patients with cervical spondylosis after surgery is an important cause of poor curative effect in the later stage.Clinicians should pay more attention to the correction of cervical sagittal balance before and during surgery,formulate surgical strategies and plans according to sagittal balance parameters before surgery,and correct C2-7 SVA intraoperatively to the normal range.
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Background: Neck pain with radiculopathy and neurodeficit is a common problem in working population. Methods: 50 patients underwent ACDF with C5-C6 the commonest level to be affected. The cases were analyzed preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months using NDI and VAS. Decrease in pre operative and 1 year post operative VAS score, Preoperative and postoperative NDI was statistically significant.Conclusion: Symptoms of neck pain, tingling, and weakness reduced after 1 year follow up. Discussion: From our study, it is evident that there is significant decrease in parameters like neck pain, tingling and radiculopathy postoperatively also there was significant decrease in NDI at 6 months follow-up.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the causes of muscular paralysis due to C₅ nerve root injury after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) and explore its prevention way.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2005 to December 2015, 310 patients underwent ACDF in our hospital. Of them, 9 cases occurred muscular paralysis due to C₅ nerve root injury after operation. The clinical data of 9 patients were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 1 female, aged from 51 to 84 years with an average of 64 years. Two cases underwent internal fixation and intervertebral fusion with one segment, 6 cases with two segments, 1 case with three segments. Simple deltoid muscle weakness, pain, numbness happened in 7 cases, simultaneously biceps brachii muscle weakness, pain, numbness in 2 cases. Muscle strength was 0 grade in 1 case, 1 grade in 3 cases, 2 grades in 4 cases, 3 grades in 1 case.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The follow up time of 9 patients was more than 12 months and the longest was 24 months with an average of 14 months. Muscle strength of 7 patients recovered to 4-5 grades. Recovering time after operation was directly proportional to the degree of injury, those patients with muscle strength level more than 2, usually could have significant improvement within 3 weeks. The JOA score improved from 10.89±1.89 preoperatively to 8.92±1.91 postoperative C₅ nerve root palsy to 14.48±2.10 at final follow up, with significant difference(<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>More complicated factors result in C₅ nerve root injury after ACDF. Except those suffered severe grinding contusion and amputation, most of the patients can get satisfactory prognosis. Strict control of the operation indication, selection of the right surgical segment with accurate manipulation, control of the distraction of intervertebral space and the width of the multilevel anterior cervical corpectomy, are main methods to prevent the complication.</p>
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Related literature and studies concerning the kinematics in patients after cervical arthrodesis have extensive?ly reviewed and comprehensively analyzed in 4 terms of changes in adjacent segment range of motion, motion segment per?cent contributions, motion pattern of cervical facet joints, and deviated center of rotation at adjacent segments. These report?ed researches of in-vivo kinematics after cervical arthrodesis are almost on the sagittal plane. Few data have been reported on the 6DOF kinematics under physiological loading conditions. Whether adjacent segment pathology caused by hypermobili?ty remains controversial. Long-term follow-up of large sample randomized controlled studies and obtaining the accurate 6DOF kinematics are the best way to resolve controversy.
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@#Objective To evaluate the neurological function of cervicalspondylotic radiculopathy by somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and provide an objective basis for selecting the best operation occasion. Methods 60 patients with C6 and C7 radiculopathies were divided into 3 groups according to the results of SEP: normal group (n=22), mildly abnormal group (n=30) and severely abnormal group (n=8). All the patients underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion. They were assessed with Neck Disability Index (NDI) before and after treatment. Results The postoperative NDI scores of all the groups improved significantly (P<0.001), especially in the normal group.Conclusion SEP, which can reflect the severity of cervicalspondylotic radiculopathy objectively and predict prognosis.