Neurospine.  2018 Dec;15(4):368-375. 10.14245/ns.1836100.050.

Functional Outcomes of Subaxial Spine Injuries Managed With 2-Level Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion: A Prospective Study

• Jain V
• Madan A
• Thakur M
• Thakur A

• KMID: 2437893
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/ns.1836100.050

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results of operative management of subaxial spine injuries managed with 2-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion with a cervical locking plate and autologous bone-filled titanium mesh cage.
METHODS
This study included 23 patients with a subaxial spine injury who matched the inclusion criteria, underwent 2-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion at our institution between 2013 and 2016, and were followed up for neurological recovery, axial pain, fusion, pseudarthrosis, and implant failure.
RESULTS
According to Allen and Ferguson classification, there were 9 cases of distractive extension; 4 of compressive extension; 3 each of compressive flexion, vertical compression, and distractive flexion; and 1 of lateral flexion. Sixteen patients had a score of 6 on the Subaxial Injury Classification system, and the rest had a score of more than 6. The mean follow-up period was 19 months (range, 12-48 months). Neurological recovery was observed in most of the patients (78.21%). All patients experienced relief of axial pain. None of the patients received a blood transfusion. Twenty-one patients (91.3%) showed solid fusion and 2 (8.69%) showed possible pseudarthrosis, with no complications related to the cage or plate.
CONCLUSION
Two-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion, along with stabilization with a cervical locking plate and autologous bone graft-filled titanium mesh cage, can be considered a feasible and safe method for treating specific subaxial spine injuries, with the benefits of high primary stability, anatomical reduction, and direct decompression of the spinal cord.

Keyword

Spinal cord injuries; Cervical vertebrae; Neurological aspects; Emergency treatment

MeSH Terms

Blood Transfusion
Cervical Vertebrae
Classification
Decompression
Emergency Treatment
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Methods
Prospective Studies*
Pseudarthrosis
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spine*
Titanium
Titanium