• Neurospine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.368-375
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• 2018

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.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.435-441
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• 2005

Objective : Expandable cage used for spinal reconstruction after corpectomy has several advantages over nonexpendable cages. Here we present our clinical experience with the use of this cage after anterior column corpectomy with an average of one year follow up. Methods : Ten patients underwent expandable cage reconstruction of the anterior column after single-level or multilevel corpectomy for various cervical spinal disorders. Anterior plating with or without additional posterior instrumentation were performed in all patients. Functional outcomes, complications, and radiographic outcomes were determined. Results : There was no cage-related complication. Functionally, neurological examination revealed improvement in 7 of 10 patients and no patient had neurological deterioration after the surgery. Immediate stability was achieved and maintained throughout the period of follow-up. There was minimal subsidence [<2mm] noticeable in three of the cases that underwent a two-level corpectomy. Subsidence was noted in osteoporotic patients and patients undergoing multi-level corpectomies. Average pre-operative kyphotic angle was 9 degrees. This was corrected to an average of 5.4 degrees in lordosis postoperatively. Conclusion : In conclusion, expandable cages are safe and effective devices for vertebral body replacement after cervical corpectomy when used in combination with anterior plating with or without additional posterior stabilization. The advantages of using expandable cages include its ability to easily accommodate itself into the corpectomy defect, its ability to tightly purchase into the end plates after expansion and thus minimizing the potential for migration, and finally, its ability to correct kyphosis deformity via its in vivo expansion properties.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.399-402
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• 2005

Direct anterior approach for lesions located anterior to the thecal sac is definitely superior to lateral or posterior approach in many respects. However, various anatomical obstacles and technical difficulties often hinder direct anterior approach. Thanks to ripe experience of retroperitoneal approach to the lumbar spine for anterior lumbar interbody fusion and total disc replacement, the authors could perform lumbar corpectomy and reconstruction by using midline retroperitoneal approach recently. During this approach, we repaired anterior longitudinal ligament also to reduce the risk of graft extrusion and to prevent erosion of vascular wall due to direct contact between metallic hardware, which was used for reconstruction of vertebral body, and major vessels.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.335-341
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• 2010

Objective : Anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion (ACF) or laminoplasty may be associated with substantial number of complications for treating multilevel cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with significant cord compression. For more safe decompression and stabilization in multilevel cervical OPLL with prominent cord compression, we propose circumferential cervical surgery (selective ACF and laminoplasty) based on our favorable experience. Methods : Twelve patients with cervical myelopathy underwent circumferential cervical surgery and all patients showed multilevel OPLL with Signal change of the spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A retrospective review of clinical, radiological. and surgical data was conducted. Results : There were 9 men and 3 women with mean age of 56.7 years and a mean follow up period of 15.6 months. The average corpectomy level was 1.16 and laminoplasty level was 4.58. The average Japanese Orthopedic Association score for recovery was 5.1 points and good clinical results were obtained in 11 patients (92%) (p < 0.05). The average space available for the cord improved from 58.2% to 87.9% and the average Cobb's angle changed from 7.63 to 12.27 at 6 months after operation without failure of fusion (p < 0.05). Average operation time was 8.36 hours, with an estimated blood loss of 760 mL and duration of bed rest of 2.0 days. There were no incidences of significant surgical complications, including wound infection. Conclusion : Although the current study examined a small sample with relatively short-term follow-up periods, our study results demonstrate that circumferential cervical surgery is considered favorable for safety and effectiveness in multilevel OPLL with prominent cord compression.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2019

Objective : Corpectomy of the first lumbar vertebra (L1) for the management of different L1 pathologies can be performed using either an anterior or posterior approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a retroperitoneal extrapleural approach through the twelfth rib for performing L1 corpectomy. Methods : Thirty consecutive patients underwent L1 corpectomy between 2010 and 2016. The retroperitoneal extrapleural approach through the 12th rib was used in all cases to perform single-stage anterior L1 corpectomy, reconstruction and anterior instrumentation, except for in two recurrent cases in which posterior fixation was added. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain intensity measurement and ASIA impairment scale for neurological assessment. The mean follow-up period was 14.5 months. Results : The sample included 18 males and 12 females, and the mean age was 40.3 years. Twenty patients (67%) had sensory or motor deficits before the surgery. The pathologies encountered included traumatic fracture in 12 cases, osteoporotic fracture in four cases, tumor in eight cases and spinal infection in the remaining six cases. The surgeries were performed from the left side, except in two cases. There was significant improvement of back pain and radicular pain as recorded by VAS. One patient exhibited postoperative neurological deterioration due to bone graft dislodgement. All patients with deficits at least partially improved after the surgery. During the follow-up, no hardware failures or losses of correction were detected. Conclusion : The retroperitoneal extrapleural approach through the 12th rib is a feasible approach for L1 corpectomy that can combine adequate decompression of the dural sac with effective biomechanical restoration of the compromised anterior loadbearing column. It is associated with less pulmonary complication, no need for chest tube, no abdominal distention and rapid recovery compared with other approaches.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2012

Objective : To evaluate radiographic results of anterior fusion methods in two-level cervical disc disease : tricortical autograft and plate fixation (ACDF-AP), cage and plate fixation (ACDF-CP), stand-alone cage (ACDF-CA), and corpectomy and plate fixation (ACCF). Methods: The numbers of patients were 70 with a minimum 6 month follow-up (ACDF-AP : 12, ACDF-CP : 27, ACDF-CA : 15, and ACCF : 16). Dynamic simple X-ray and computed tomography were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, 6 month, and at the final follow-up. The fusion and subsidence rates at the final were determined, and global cervical lordosis (GCL), cervical range of motion, fused segment angle (FSA), and fused segment height (FSH) were analyzed. Results: Nonunion was observed in 4 (25%) patients with ACDF-CA, 1 (8%) patient with ACDF-AP, 1 (4%) patient with ACDF-CP. The number of loss of FSH (%) more than 3 mm were 2 patients (16%) in ACDF-AP, 3 patients (11%) in ACDF-CP, 5 patients (33%) in ACDF-CA, and 3 patients (20%) in ACCF. The GCL was decreased with ACDF-CA and increased with others. The FSA was increased with ACDF-AP, ACDF-CP, and ACCF, but ACDF-CA was decreased. At the final follow-up, the FSH was slightly decreased in ACDF-CP, ACDF-AP, and ACCF, but ACDF-CA was more decreased. Graft related complication were minimal. Screw loosening, plate fracture, cage subsidence and migration were not identified. Conclusion: ACDF-CP demonstrated a higher fusion rate and less minimal FSH loss than the other fusions in two-level cervical disc disease. The ACDF-AP and ACCF methods had a better outcome than the ACDF-CA with respect to GCL, FSA, and FSH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.77-81
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• 2007

Objective : In a variety of thoracolumbar diseases, corpectomy followed by interbody bone graft and anterior instrumentation has allowed direct neural decompression and reconstruction of the weight-bearing column by short segments fusion. In this study, we compared spinal stability of the two different anterior thoracolumbar instruments : Z-plate and Kaneda device representing plate and two-rods type, respectively. Methods : A retrospective review was performed for all the patients with thoracolumbar diseases or traumas treated with anterior corpectomy, autologous iliac bone graft, and fixation with instruments from 1996 to 2000. For the anterior instrumentation, Z-plate or Kaneda device was used for 24 [M:F=5:9, average age=37] and 12 [M:F=9:3, average age=41] patients, respectively. The plain AP and lateral flexion-extension films were taken immediately after surgery and at each follow-up. The sagittal and coronal Cobb's angles at the operation segments were used to observe the change of initial fixation status. The surgical time length and bleeding amount of the two groups were compared. Intra-operative and post-operative instrument associated complications were evaluated. Student t-test was used for statistical analysis and p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results : Mean follow-up durations for Z-plate and Kaneda device were 24 and 21 months, respectively. The fusion rate was 91% for Z-plate and 100% for Kaneda device. Two cases of Z-plate group showed instrumentation failure during the follow up period, in which additional surgery was necessary. The mean differences of sagittal Cobb's angles among the AP images immediate after surgery and at follow-up were 7 and 2 degrees for Z-plate and Kaneda device, respectively [p<0.05]. The mean differences of coronal Cobb's angles were 5 and 2 degrees for Z-plate and Kaneda device, respectively [p<0.05]. No Intra-operative complication has occurred in both groups. There was no difference in surgery time and bleeding amount between two groups. Conclusion : We think that Kaneda device [rod type] is stronger than Z-plate [plate type] to keep the spinal stability after anterior thoracolumbar surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.259-261
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• 2008

We present a case of delayed oral extrusion of a screw after anterior cervical interbody fusion in a 68-year-old man with osteoporosis. Fifteen months earlier, he had undergone C5 corpectomy and anterior cervical interbody fusion at C4-6 for multiple spinal stenoses. The patient was nearly asymptomatic, except for a foreign body sensation in his throat. We conclude that the use of a mesh graft or other instrument in elderly patients and those with osteoporosis or problematic bone quality should be considered carefully and that if surgery were to be performed, periodic postoperative follow-up evaluations are mandatory.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.493-500
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• 2001

Objective : Anterior cervical locking plates are the devices for achieving anterior cervical spinal fusion. This study was conducted to evaluate the locking plate system regarding its long-term advantages and disadvantages in the view of interbody fusion rate, hardware-related failures, vertebral change close to the fusion segment and postoperative complications. Method : Eight-six patients, operated from Jan., 1996 to Jun. 1998, were followed-up for more than two years. All of the cases were fused with iliac bone graft and ORION locking plate(Sofamor Danek USA, Inc., Memphis, TN) fixation. The patients were discharged or transferred to rehabilitation department 2-7 days after operation. A comprehensive evaluation of the interbody fusion state, instrument failure, vertebral change and postoperative complications were made by direct interview and cervical flexion-extension lateral plain films. Results : There were 55 male and 31 female with a mean age of 45 years(18-75 years). The mean follow-up period was 29 months(24-43 months). Various disorders that were operated were 40 cervical discs, 6 cervical stenosis including OPLL, 2 infections, and 38 traumas. Fusion level was single in 59 cases, two levels of each disc space in 15 cases, and two levels after one corpectomy in 12 cases. There was no instrument failure. Pseudoarthrosis was observed in two cases(2%) without radiological instability. The other patients(98%) showed complete cervical fusion with stable instrument. Mild settling of interbody graft with upward migration of screws was found in 12 cases(14%). Anterior bony growth at the upper segment was found in 5 cases(6%). Postoperative foreign body sensation or dysphagia was observed in 12 cases(4%), and disappeared within one month in 7 cases and within six months in 4 cases. One patient complained for more than six months and required reoperation to remove paraesophageal granulation tissue. Conclusion : The results show that Orion cervical locking plate has some disadvantages of upward migration of screws, anterior bony growth at the upper segment, or possibility of esophageal compression even though it has advantages of high interbody fusion rate or low instrument failure. Author believe that anterior cervical locking plate in the future should be thinner, and should have short end from the screw hole, and movable screw with adequate stability.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.360-364
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• 2000

Objective : To investigate the prognostic factors associated with outcome in patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. Method : During the past 4 years, we have operated on 35 patients with cervical OPLL. Anterior cervical decompression(total or subtotal corpectomy, discectomy, and removal of the OPLL) and interbody fusion with iliac bone were performed in all patients. Results : Eight cases(22.9%) were continuous type, 11(31.4%) segmental, 13(37.1%) Mixed, and 3(8.6%) localized type. Thirty-two patients(91.4%) showed an excellent or good results. Conclusion : These results indicate that surgical treatment should be considerated in case of clinical grading higher than II and the surgical outcome is worse when duration of preoperative symptom is longer and when percentage of spinal narrowing is higher. Anterior cervical decompression and interbody fusion seems to be a better method in patients with lesions limited to one or two level. Age at surgery did not significantly affect the outcom.