Comparison of sagittal parameters for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, hybrid surgery, and total disc replacement for three levels of cervical spondylosis.

PURPOSE: To analyze sagittal balance of the cervical spine after three operative methods for three consecutive levels. METHODS: A retrospective case selection and observational study was performed from December 2012 to December 2015: 20 patients underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, 22 patients underwent hybrid surgery (HS), and 20 patients underwent total disc replacement (TDR). Perioperative parameters, clinical outcomes, and preoperative and postoperative sagittal parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Clinical outcomes improved. Fusion and hybrid groups were associated with more postoperative focal lordosis than the TDR group (no significant difference). The postoperative C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was greater in the TDR group (no significant difference). In the fusion group, the postoperative C2-7 SVA was highly correlated with the preoperative C2-7 SVA and postoperative C7 slope (C7SL). Postoperative C2-7 lordosis (C2-7L) was highly correlated with the preoperative C2-7 SVA and preoperative and postoperative C7SL. In the hybrid group, postoperative C2-7L was highly correlated with preoperative C2-7L, preoperative and postoperative focal lordosis, and C7SL. In the TDR group, the postoperative C2-7 SVA was highly correlated with the preoperative C2-7 SVA and postoperative C7 slope. The postoperative C2-7 SVA was also negatively correlated with postoperative C2-7L and focal lordosis. Postoperative C2-7L was highly correlated with postoperative focal lordosis. CONCLUSIONS: For three or more levels of cervical degenerative disease, good clinical outcomes can be achieved. TDR may not be a good choice for large preoperative C2-7 SVA. HS provides good cervical range of motion and restores cervical lordosis and C2-7 SVA.

Comparison of multifidus muscle atrophy after posterior lumbar interbody fusion with conventional and cortical bone trajectory.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if minimally invasive posterior interbody fusion with cortical bone trajectory (CBT) is associated with reduced paraspinal muscle damage compared to conventional open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients who underwent CBT were grouped into matched pairs with 16 patients who underwent conventional PLIF between May 2013 and January 2014, in terms of age, sex, body mass index, and spinal levels. Perioperative data and clinical data, including the Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI),before and after surgery were evaluated. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. The fat infiltration ratio was calculated. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with an 18-month follow-up period were evaluated. Clinical improvement, indicated by the VAS score for back and leg pain, ODI, and JOA score, was significant in both groups. However, there were no significant differences in operative time, blood loss, hospital stay duration, and recovery rate between the groups. The fat infiltration ratio was lower in the CBT group (p<0.05) than in the conventional PLIF group. CONCLUSIONS: CBT is comparable with conventional PLIF with respect to short-term clinical outcomes but induced less multifidus muscle damage.