Long-term influence of selective consecutive three-level appliance of Solis cage on cervical curvature

Chen Yan; Huang Yang-liang; Zhong Yi

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.48.010

Abstract：BACKGROUND: With the understanding of pathology of cervical diseases, cervical curvature has become one of the important indexes of long-term clinical outcome. To restore and maintain cervical curvature has a profound impact on cervical long-term stabilization and cervical biomechanical environment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term influence of selective consecutive three-level appliance of intervertebral Solis cage on cervical curvature for spondylotic myelopathy. METHODS: From June 2008 to December 2010, 22 spondylotic myelopathy patients were treated with consecutive three-level anterior cervical Solis fusion. There were 14 males, 8 females, with an average age of 45.1 years (ranged from 26-73 years). There were two cases of C2/3/4/5, seven cases of C3/4/5/6, 12 cases of C4/5/6/7, and one case of C5/6/7/T1 , total y 66 intervertebral spaces. Al cases were fol owed up for 2 years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Average blood loss amount was 40 mL (20-80 mL). Average operation time was 121 minutes (100-175 minutes). After fol ow-up for 30.7 months, al segments were fused. There was no implant migration or vertebral body col apse. Pre-operative JOA score was 11.94±3.61, 15.56±1.13 at 6 months post-operation, and 15.21±1.85 at 2 years after implantation. Pre-operative cervical curvature was (1.86±3.24) mm,(4.83±1.78) mm at 6 months post-operation, and (4.44±3.36) mm at 2 years after implantation. There were significant differences between pre-operative and at 6 months post-operation, pre-operative and at 2 years post-operation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between 6-month and 2-year post-operation (P > 0.05). Results indicated that selective consecutive three-level appliance of intervertebral cage for spondylotic myelopathy could improve cervical curvature and have long-term favorable clinical outcomes.