RESUMEN
Subaxial cervical deformities most often occur in the sagittal plane, primarily as kyphosis. Kyphosis may develop secondary to advanced degenerative disease, trauma, neoplastic disease, or after surgery. Whatever the cause, the development of cervical deformity should be avoided and corrected when appropriate because the greater the deformity, the greater the probability of an associated neurological deficit or chronic pain. Patients usually present with mechanical type cervical pain, with or without neurological deficit (i.e., myelopathy). They may also be relatively asymptomatic. Work-up includes appropriate imaging studies, such as radiographs, including dynamic images, and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography myelography. The deformity may be accurately assessed and an appropriate surgical strategy undertaken. Depending on flexibility of the deformity and the presence or absence of facet ankylosis, a dorsal, ventral, or combined approach may be used. All approaches are unique in their ability to correct a deformity and in their associated complications. A comprehensive discussion of each is undertaken.
Asunto(s)
Vértebras Cervicales/cirugía , Descompresión/métodos , Curvaturas de la Columna Vertebral/terapia , Fusión Vertebral/métodos , Vértebras Cervicales/patología , Humanos , Curvaturas de la Columna Vertebral/complicaciones , Curvaturas de la Columna Vertebral/etiologíaRESUMEN
OBJECT: Cervical kyphotic deformation may develop after surgery involving either the ventral or dorsal approach. Regardless of the cause, the development of a cervical kyphotic deformity should be avoided, if possible, and corrected if present, when appropriate. The authors describe their experience with a technique for the ventral correction of iatrogenic (postoperative) cervical kyphosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of cases involving correction of postoperative iatrogenic cervical kyphosis via an ventral approach was performed. The authors conducted an ventral approach to kyphosis correction. The procedure required specific head positioning (in extension), convergent distraction pins, and an ventrally placed implant (axially dynamic when appropriate) with multiple points of fixation including at least one point of intermediate fixation. The pre- and postoperative sagittal angle and clinical status were evaluated. During a nearly 14-month period, 12 patients met the inclusion criteria. Ten patients underwent a minimum of 6 months of follow up. They comprised the study population. Most patients presented with mechanical neck pain as part of their symptom profile. The mean magnitude of deformity correction (pre- to postoperative) was 20 degrees of lordosis. The mean postoperative sagittal angle was 6 degrees of lordosis. The mean change in the sagittal angle during the follow-up period was 2.2 degrees of lordosis. CONCLUSIONS: The ventral approach to correction of cervical deformity led to the achievement of lordosis in all but one patient. This posture was effectively maintained during the follow-up period. All patients exhibited improvement postoperatively; three experienced complete resolution of their preoperative symptoms. When symptoms are related to postsurgical kyphosis, deformity correction should be considered. Such a procedure may be performed effectively via an ventral approach in most circumstances.