The article is a retrospective cohort study that compares the outcomes of different surgical procedures for managing cervical radiculopathy. The study focuses on anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA), and posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF). The researchers analyzed data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database and performed propensity score matching to account for baseline differences. The results showed that patients who underwent multi-level PCF had longer hospital stays, higher reoperation rates, and higher rates of infection compared to those who underwent ACDF or CDA. There were no significant differences between ACDF and CDA. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of these complications and analyze long-term outcomes
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : best situated sugical centre in London
Published article
CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing multi-level PCF were at increased risk for longer hospital stay, re-operation, and infection relative to those undergoing ACDF and CDA. Future research should aim to uncover the precise mechanisms underlying these complications, as well as analyze long term outcomes.
Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Study design: Retrospective Cohort Study. Objective: Cervical radiculopathy meeting operative criteria has traditionally been managed using anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). However, cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) are also reasonable options. This study aimed to assess differences in postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing multi-level ACDF, CDA, or PCF comparing,
Abstract
Study design: Retrospective Cohort Study.
Objective: Cervical radiculopathy meeting operative criteria has traditionally been managed using anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). However, cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) are also reasonable options. This study aimed to assess differences in postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing multi-level ACDF, CDA, or PCF comparing medical/surgical complications and healthcare utilization parameters.
Methods: Patients who underwent multi-level ACDF, CDA, or PCF between 2012 and 2019 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (ACS-NSQIP) database. Patients were stratified based on procedure type and propensity score matched to resolve baseline differences. ANOVA was performed to identify differences in medical complications, surgical complications, and healthcare utilization metrics.
Results: A total of 31 344 patients who underwent an eligible procedure were identified (ACDF: n = 28 089, CDA: n = 1748, PCF: n = 1507), and 684 patients remained in each group following propensity score matching. Patients undergoing multi-level PCF were found to experience longer lengths of hospital stay (PCF: 1.67 ± 1.61 days, ACDF: 1.50 ± 1.32 days, CDA: 1.27 ± 1.05 days, P < .001), higher rates of reoperation (PCF: 3.2%, ACDF: 1.0%, CDA: .4%, P = .020), superficial infection (PCF: 1.3%, ACDF: .3%, CDA: .1%, P = .008) and deep infection (PCF: 1.2%, ACDF: 0%, CDA: 0%, P < .001). There were no outcome differences between multi-level ACDF and CDA.
Conclusions: Patients undergoing multi-level PCF were at increased risk for longer hospital stay, re-operation, and infection relative to those undergoing ACDF and CDA. Future research should aim to uncover the precise mechanisms underlying these complications, as well as analyze long term outcomes.
Level of evidence: III.
Keywords: anterior cervical discectomy and fusion; cervical disc arthroplasty; posterior cervical foraminotomy; radiculopathy.
The London Spine Unit : best situated sugical centre in London
Read the original publication:
Multi-Level Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy Associated With Increased Post-operative Infection Rates and Overall Re-Operation Relative to Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion or Cervical Disc Arthroplasty