Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2019

Comments

This is the final version of the article from the journal Der Orthopäde, 2019 May;48(5):426-432.

The article can also be accessed from the publishers website at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00132-018-3640-6

Copyright. The Author

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of microscopy-assisted anterior corpectomy and fusion for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

METHODS: A retrospective review of 32 cervical OPLL patients who underwent microscopy-assisted anterior corpectomy and fusion from June 2012 to March 2017 was carried out. Patients were evaluated with outcome metrics: Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores (17 points method), visual analog scale (VAS), and radiographic parameters of the lordotic angle. The complications during treatment and follow-up were recorded.

RESULTS: This study included 32 patients (15 males and 17 females) with a mean age of 58.3 ± 2.9 years (range 42-68 years). The average duration of follow-up was 19.0 ± 3.5 months (range 11-46 months). The scores of postoperative VAS significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The average JOA score at 12 months postoperation significantly improved (p < 0.05). The lordotic angle increased after surgery (P < 0.05). There was no titanium mesh subsidence, no pseudarthrosis or hardware failure at 1‑year follow-up.

COMPLICATIONS: One cerebrospinal fluid leakage in the surgery was managed using a gelatine sponge and the patient recovered after 1 week: One patient developed laryngeal nerve injury symptom of hoarseness and recovered spontaneously in 2 weeks without intervention and 1 patient suffered slight postoperative infection. There was no worsening of neurological function.

CONCLUSION: Microscopy-assisted anterior cervical anterior surgery appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for selected cases of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament ossification.

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PubMed ID

30238145

Language

English

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