Techniques for the ventral correction of postsurgical cervical kyphotic deformity.

Progressive kyphotic deformity of the cervical spine may be a late sequela of congenital cervical anomalies, degenerative disc disease, neoplasm, cervical trauma, and surgical procedures. Of these, postsurgical kyphosis is the most common and can occur after ventral and dorsal surgeries of the cervical spine. The purpose of this article is to review the causes and clinical presentation of postsurgical cervical kyphosis and to focus on the operative planning and ventral correction techniques.