Anthony L Asher1, Clinton J Devin2, Panagiotis Kerezoudis3, Silky Chotai2, Hui Nian4, Frank E Harrell4, Ahilan Sivaganesan5, Matthew J McGirt1, Kristin R Archer6,7, Kevin T Foley8, Praveen V Mummaneni9, Erica F Bisson10, John J Knightly11, Christopher I Shaffrey12, Mohamad Bydon3. 1. Department of Neurological Surgery, Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates and Neurological Institute, Carolinas Healthcare System, Charlotte, North Carolina. 2. Department of Orthopedics Surgery and Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt Spine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. 3. Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota. 4. Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. 5. Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. 6. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt Spine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. 7. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. 8. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Semmes Murphey Neurologic and Spine Institute, Memphis, Tennessee. 9. Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California. 10. Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. 11. Atlantic Neurosurgical Specialists, Morristown, New Jersey. 12. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The choice of anterior vs posterior approach for degenerative cervical myelopathy that spans multiple segments remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes following the 2 approaches using multicenter prospectively collected data. METHODS: Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) for patients undergoing surgery for 3 to 5 level degenerative cervical myelopathy was analyzed. The anterior group (anterior cervical discectomy [ACDF] or corpectomy [ACCF] with fusion) was compared with posterior cervical fusion. Outcomes included: patient reported outcomes (PROs): neck disability index (NDI), numeric rating scale (NRS) of neck pain and arm pain, EQ-5D, modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score for myelopathy (mJOA), and NASS satisfaction questionnaire; hospital length of stay (LOS), 90-d readmission, and return to work (RTW). Multivariable regression models were fitted for outcomes. RESULTS: Of total 245 patients analyzed, 163 patients underwent anterior surgery (ACDF-116, ACCF-47) and 82 underwent posterior surgery. Patients undergoing an anterior approach had lower odds of having higher LOS (P < .001, odds ratio 0.16, 95% confidence interval 0.08-0.30). The 12-mo NDI, EQ-5D, NRS, mJOA, and satisfaction scores as well as 90-d readmission and RTW did not differ significantly between anterior and posterior groups. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing anterior approaches for 3 to 5 level degenerative cervical myelopathy had shorter hospital LOS compared to those undergoing posterior decompression and fusion. Also, patients in both groups exhibited similar long-term PROs, readmission, and RTW rates. Further investigations are needed to compare the differences in longer term reoperation rates and functional outcomes before the clinical superiority of one approach over the other can be established.
BACKGROUND: The choice of anterior vs posterior approach for degenerative cervical myelopathy that spans multiple segments remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes following the 2 approaches using multicenter prospectively collected data. METHODS: Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) for patients undergoing surgery for 3 to 5 level degenerative cervical myelopathy was analyzed. The anterior group (anterior cervical discectomy [ACDF] or corpectomy [ACCF] with fusion) was compared with posterior cervical fusion. Outcomes included: patient reported outcomes (PROs): neck disability index (NDI), numeric rating scale (NRS) of neck pain and arm pain, EQ-5D, modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score for myelopathy (mJOA), and NASS satisfaction questionnaire; hospital length of stay (LOS), 90-d readmission, and return to work (RTW). Multivariable regression models were fitted for outcomes. RESULTS: Of total 245 patients analyzed, 163 patients underwent anterior surgery (ACDF-116, ACCF-47) and 82 underwent posterior surgery. Patients undergoing an anterior approach had lower odds of having higher LOS (P < .001, odds ratio 0.16, 95% confidence interval 0.08-0.30). The 12-mo NDI, EQ-5D, NRS, mJOA, and satisfaction scores as well as 90-d readmission and RTW did not differ significantly between anterior and posterior groups. CONCLUSION:Patients undergoing anterior approaches for 3 to 5 level degenerative cervical myelopathy had shorter hospital LOS compared to those undergoing posterior decompression and fusion. Also, patients in both groups exhibited similar long-term PROs, readmission, and RTW rates. Further investigations are needed to compare the differences in longer term reoperation rates and functional outcomes before the clinical superiority of one approach over the other can be established.
Authors: Anna Kotkansalo; Ville Leinonen; Merja Korajoki; Katariina Korhonen; Jaakko Rinne; Antti Malmivaara Journal: Neurosurgery Date: 2021-02-16 Impact factor: 4.654
Authors: Jamie R F Wilson; Jetan H Badhiwala; Fan Jiang; Jefferson R Wilson; Branko Kopjar; Alexander R Vaccaro; Michael G Fehlings Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2019-10-17 Impact factor: 4.241