Perioperative Complications of Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Comparison Between 3 Procedures

Cervical Laminoplasty Versus Laminectomy and Fusion: A Comprehensive Time-driven Activity-based Cost Analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the true cost between posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion and cervical laminoplasty using time driven activity-based costing methodology.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Cervical laminoplasty (LP) and posterior cervical laminectomy with fusion (LF) are effective procedures for treating cervical myelopathy. A comprehensive accounting of cost differences between LP versus LF is not available. Using time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC), we sought to compare the total facility costs in patients with cervical myelopathy undergoing LP versus LF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 277 LP and 229 LF performed between 2019 and 2023. Total facility costs, which included personnel and supply costs, were assessed using TDABC. Separate analyses including and excluding implant costs were performed. Multiple regression analysis was utilized to assess the independent effect of LP compared with LF on facility costs, with all costs standardized using cost units (CUs).

RESULTS

Patients undergoing LP had lower total supply costs [672.5 vs. 765.0 CUs (0.88x), P <0.001] and lower total personnel costs [330.0 vs. 830.0 CUs (0.40x), P <0.001], resulting in a lower total facility cost both including [1003.8 vs. 1600.0 CUs (0.63x), P <0.001] and excluding implant costs [770.0 vs. 875.0 CUs (0.88x), P <0.001] (Table 1). After controlling for demographics and comorbidities, LF was associated with increased total facility costs, including (588.5 CUs, 95% CI: 517.1-659.9 CUs, P <0.001) and excluding implant costs (104.3 CUs, 95% CI: 57.6-151.0 CUs, P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Using time-driven activity-based costing, we found that total facility costs were lower in patients treated with laminoplasty. These findings suggest that laminoplasty may offer a less costly and more efficient surgical option for treating cervical myelopathy.

Geographical and Specialty-specific Variation in the Utilization of Laminoplasty for Cervical Myelopathy

STUDY DESIGN

Level IV retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES

Despite the positive outcomes associated with laminoplasty, there is significant surgeon variability in the use of laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy in the United States. In this study, we explored how geographic and specialty-specific differences may influence the utilization of laminoplasty to treat cervical myelopathy.

BACKGROUND

We queried the Mariner 157 database (PearlDiver, Inc.), a national administrative claims database containing diagnostic, procedural, and demographic records from over 157 million patients from 2010 to 2021.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision/International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes, we identified all patients with a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy who had undergone multilevel posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) or laminoplasty. We further analyzed patients' demographics, comorbidities, geographical location, and specialty of the surgeon (neurosurgery or orthopedic spine surgery).

RESULTS

There were 34,432 patients with a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy, of which 4,033 (11.7%) underwent laminoplasty and 30,399 (88.3%) underwent multilevel PCDF. Northeast, South, and West regions had lower percentages of laminoplasty utilization compared with the Midwest in terms of total case mix between laminoplasty and PCDF. In addition, 2,300 (57.0%) of the laminoplasty cases were performed by orthopedic spine surgeons compared with 1,733 (43.0%) by neurosurgeons. Temporal trends in laminoplasty utilization were stable for orthopedic surgeons, whereas laminoplasty utilization decreased over time between 2010 and 2021 for neurosurgeons (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Utilization of laminoplasty in the United States is not well defined. Our results suggest a geographical and training-specific variation in the utilization of laminoplasty. Surgeons with orthopedic training were more likely to perform laminoplasty compared with surgeons with a neurosurgery training background. In addition, we found greater utilization of laminoplasty in the Midwest compared with other regions.

The Effects of Peri-Operative Adverse Events on Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: An Observational Cohort Study from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

There is a lack of data examining the effects of perioperative adverse events (AEs) on long-term outcomes for patients undergoing surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. We aimed to investigate associations between the occurrence of perioperative AEs and coprimary outcomes: (1) modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score and (2) Neck Disability Index (NDI) score.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 800 patients prospectively enrolled in the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network multicenter observational study. The Spine AEs Severity system was used to collect intraoperative and postoperative AEs. Patients were assessed at up to 2 years after surgery using the NDI and the mJOA scale. We used a linear mixed-effect regression to assess the influence of AEs on longitudinal outcome measures as well as multivariable logistic regression to assess factors associated with meeting minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds at 1 year.

RESULTS

There were 167 (20.9%) patients with minor AEs and 36 (4.5%) patients with major AEs. The occurrence of major AEs was associated with an average increase in NDI of 6.8 points (95% CI: 1.1-12.4, P = .019) and reduction of 1.5 points for mJOA scores (95% CI: -2.3 to -0.8, P < .001) up to 2 years after surgery. Occurrence of major AEs reduced the odds of patients achieving MCID targets at 1 year after surgery for mJOA (odds ratio 0.23, 95% CI: 0.086-0.53, P = .001) and for NDI (odds ratio 0.34, 95% CI: 0.11-0.84, P = .032).

CONCLUSION

Major AEs were associated with reduced functional gains and worse recovery trajectories for patients undergoing surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. Occurrence of major AEs reduced the probability of achieving mJOA and NDI MCID thresholds at 1 year. Both minor and major AEs significantly increased health resource utilization by reducing the proportion of discharges home and increasing length of stay.

The role of comprehensive rehabilitation in the care of degenerative cervical myelopathy

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To find out if comprehensive rehabilitation itself can improve daily performance in persons with DCM.

SETTING

The spinal department of a rehabilitation hospital.

METHODS

Data from 116 DCM inpatients who underwent comprehensive rehabilitation after spinal surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The definitions of the calculated outcome variables made possible analyses that distinguished the effect of rehabilitation from that of spinal surgery. Paired t-tests were used to compare admission with discharge outcomes and functional gains. Spearman's correlations were used to assess relationships between performance gain during rehabilitation and between time from surgery to rehabilitation.

RESULTS

The Spinal Cord Injury Ability Realization Measurement Index (SCI-ARMI) increased during rehabilitation from 57 (24) to 78 (19) (p < 0.001). The Spinal Cord Independence Measure 3rd version (SCIM III) gain attributed to neurological improvement (dSCIM-IIIn) was 6.3 (9.2), and that attributed to rehabilitation (dSCIM-IIIr) 16 (18.5) (p < 0.001). dSCIM-IIIr showed a rather weak negative correlation with time from spinal surgery to rehabilitation (r = -0.42, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed, for the first time, that comprehensive rehabilitation can achieve considerable functional improvement for persons with DCM of any degree, beyond that of spinal surgery. Combined with previously published evidence, this indicates that comprehensive rehabilitation can be considered for persons with DCM of any functional degree, before surgery.

Full endoscopic laminotomy decompression versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the treatment of single-segment cervical spinal stenosis: a retrospective, propensity score-matched study

OBJECTIVE

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the standard procedure for the treatment of cervical spinal stenosis (CSS), but complications such as adjacent segment degeneration can seriously affect the long-term efficacy. Currently, posterior endoscopic surgery has been increasingly used in the clinical treatment of CSS. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of single-segment CSS patients who underwent full endoscopic laminotomy decompression or ACDF.

METHODS

138 CSS patients who met the inclusion criteria from June 2018 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into endoscopic and ACDF groups. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to adjust the imbalanced confounding variables between the groups. Then, perioperative data were recorded and clinical outcomes were compared, including functional scores and imaging data. Functional scores included Visual Analog Scale of Arms (A-VAS) and Neck pain (N-VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association score (JOA), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and imaging data included Disc Height Index (DHI), Cervical range of motion (ROM), and Ratio of grey scale (RVG).

RESULTS

After PSM, 84 patients were included in the study and followed for 24-30 months. The endoscopic group was significantly superior to the ACDF group in terms of operative time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, and hospital stay (P < 0.001). Postoperative N-VAS, A-VAS, JOA, and NDI were significantly improved in both groups compared with the preoperative period (P < 0.001), and the endoscopic group showed better improvement at 7 days postoperatively (P < 0.05). The ROM changes of adjacent segments were significantly larger in the ACDF group at 12 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up (P < 0.05). The RVG of adjacent segments showed a decreasing trend, and the decrease was more marked in the ACDF group at last follow-up (P < 0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, the excellent and good rates in the endoscopic group and ACDF group were 90.48% and 88.10%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Full endoscopic laminotomy decompression is demonstrated to be an efficacious alternative technique to traditional ACDF for the treatment of single-segment CSS, with the advantages of less trauma, faster recovery, and less impact on cervical spine kinematics and adjacent segmental degeneration.

The Impact of Preoperative Myelopathy on Postoperative Outcomes among Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Procedures in the Nonelderly Adult Population: A Propensity-Score Matched Study

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common surgical intervention for patients diagnosed with cervical degenerative diseases with or without myelopathy. A thorough understanding of outcomes in patients with and without myelopathy undergoing ACDF is required because of the widespread utilization of ACDF for these indications.

OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE

Non-ACDF approaches achieved inferior outcomes in certain myelopathic cases. Studies have compared patient outcomes across procedures, but few have compared outcomes concerning myelopathic versus nonmyelopathic cohorts.

METHODS

The MarketScan database was queried from 2007 to 2016 to identify adult patients who were ≤65 years old, and underwent ACDF using the international classification of diseases 9th version and current procedural terminology codes. Nearest neighbor propensity-score matching was employed to balance patient demographics and operative characteristics between myelopathic and nonmyelopathic cohorts.

RESULTS

Of 107,480 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 29,152 (27.1%) were diagnosed with myelopathy. At baseline, the median age of patients with myelopathy was higher (52 years vs. 50 years, p <0.001), and they had a higher comorbidity burden (mean Charlson comorbidity index, 1.92 vs. 1.58; p <0.001) than patients without myelopathy. Patients with myelopathy were more likely to undergo surgical revision at 2 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54-1.73) or are readmitted within 90 days (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.20-1.34). After patient cohorts were matched, patients with myelopathy remained at elevated risk for reoperation at 2 years (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.44-1.67) and postoperative dysphagia (2.78% vs. 1.68%, p <0.001) compared to patients without myelopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

We found inferior postoperative outcomes at baseline for patients with myelopathy undergoing ACDF compared to patients without myelopathy. Patients with myelopathy remained at significantly greater risk for reoperation and readmission after balancing potential confounding variables across cohorts, and these differences in outcomes were largely driven by patients with myelopathy undergoing 1-2 level fusions.

Reoperation and Perioperative Complications After Surgical Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy: A Comparison Between Three Procedures

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective database study.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to compare the perioperative complications and reoperation rates after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA), and posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) in patients treated for cervical radiculopathy.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Cervical radiculopathy results from compression or irritation of nerve roots in the cervical spine. While most cervical radiculopathy is treated nonoperatively, ACDF, CDA, and PCF are the techniques most commonly used if operative intervention is indicated. There is limited research evaluating the perioperative complications of these surgical techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed using the PearlDiver Patient Record Database to identify cases of cervical radiculopathy that underwent ACDF, CDA, or PCF at one or two levels from 2007 to 2016. Perioperative complications and reoperations following each of the procedures were assessed.

RESULTS

During the study period, 25,051 patients underwent ACDF, 522 underwent CDA, and 3986 underwent PCF. After propensity score matching, each of the three groups consisted of 507 patients. Surgical site infection rates were highest after PCF (2.17%) compared with ACDF (0.20%) and CDA (0.59%) at 30 days and three months ( P =0.003, P <0.001), respectively. New-onset cervicalgia was highest following ACDF (34.32%) and lowest after PCF (22.88%) at three and six months ( P <0.001 and P =0.003), respectively. Revision surgeries were highest among those who underwent CDA (6.90%) versus ACDF (3.16%) and PCF (3.55%) at six months ( P =0.007). Limb paralysis was significantly higher after PCF compared with CDA and ACDF at six months ( P <0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of surgical site infection was higher in PCF compared with ACDF and CDA. New-onset cervicalgia was higher after ACDF compared with PCF and CDA at short-term follow-up. Revision surgeries were highest among those undergoing CDA and lowest in those undergoing ACDF.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Cervical Laminoplasty Versus Posterior Laminectomy and Fusion: Trends in Utilization and Evaluation of Complication and Revision Surgery Rates

INTRODUCTION

Cervical laminoplasty (LP) and laminectomy with fusion (LF) are common operations used to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Conflicting data exist regarding which operation provides superior patient outcomes while minimizing the risk of complications. This study evaluates the trends of LP compared with LF over the past decade in patients with cervical myelopathy and examines long-term revision rates and complications between the two procedures.

METHODS

Patients aged 18 years or older who underwent LP or LF for cervical myelopathy from 2010 to 2019 were identified in the PearlDiver Mariner Database. Patients were grouped independently (LP versus fusion) and assessed for association with common medical and surgical complications. The primary outcome was the incidence of LP versus LF for cervical myelopathy over time. Secondary outcomes were revision rates up to 5 years postoperatively and the development of complications attributable to either surgery.

RESULTS

In total, 1,420 patients underwent LP and 10,440 patients underwent LF. Rates of LP (10.5% to 13.7%) and LF (86.3% to 89.5%) remained stable, although the number of procedures nearly doubled from 865 in 2010 to 1,525 in 2019. On matched analysis, LP exhibited lower rates of wound complications, surgical site infections, spinal cord injury, dysphagia, cervical kyphosis, limb paralysis, incision and drainage/exploration, implant removal, respiratory failure, renal failure, and sepsis. Revision rates for both procedures at were not different at any time point.

CONCLUSION

From 2010 to 2019, rates of LP have not increased and represent less than 15% of posterior-based myelopathy operations. Up to 5 years of follow-up, there were no differences in revision rates for LP compared with LF; however, LP was associated with fewer postoperative complications than LF.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III retrospective cohort study.

Cervical Myelopathy: Diagnosis, Contemporary Treatment, and Outcomes

Cervical myelopathy is a clinical syndrome caused by compression of the spinal cord between the levels of the C1 and T1 vertebrae. Its clinical presentation can mimic other degenerative and neurological pathologies, making diagnosis challenging. Diagnosis is confirmed with appropriate imaging studies carefully correlated with history and physical examination. Treatment options are focused on decompression of the spinal canal from an anterior, posterior, or combined anterior and posterior surgical approach depending on the location of compression and patient factors. Outcomes are favorable if treatment is performed prior to severe symptom onset.

MRI T2WI High Signal Is a Risk Factor for Perioperative Complications in Patients with Cervical Spondylosis with Spinal Cord Compression: A Propensity Matching Score Analysis

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the perioperative complications and clinical efficacy of patients with cervical spondylosis with spinal cord compression (CSWSCC) with or without MRI T2WIHS (T2-weighted image high signal) by means of propensity matching score grouping.

Methods

We analyzed a single-center data of 913 surgical patients with CSWSCC by propensity matching score in this study, of which 326 patients had preoperative cervical MRI T2WIHS. The patient's general condition and perioperative indicators were collected. The MRI T2WIHS and normal groups were paired 1 : 1 to eliminate selection bias by propensity matching score. Finally, a total of 312 pairs were matched successfully. The results of perioperative complications and other outcome variables were compared between the two groups by Cox function analysis.

Results

The postoperative blood loss, operation time, blood transfusion volume, systemic complications, local complications, volume of drainage, abnormal use of antibiotic, length of hospital stay, and JOA (Japanese Orthopaedic Association) improvement rate were analyzed. As the only complication with significant statistical difference, the incidence of IRI (ischemia-reperfusion injury) in patients with MRI T2WIHS was significantly higher. The length of hospital stay was more significantly increased in patients with MRI T2WIHS; on the contrary, the JOA improvement rate decreased significantly.

Conclusion

This study confirmed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of perioperative complications in CSWSCC patients with or without MRI T2WIHS, except for the IRI. Moreover, the JOA improvement rate of patients without MRI T2WIHS was significantly better, with the length of hospital stay reduced.

Incidence of dysphagia following posterior cervical spine surgery

Abundant literature exists describing the incidence of dysphagia following anterior cervical surgery; however, there is a paucity of literature detailing the incidence of dysphagia following posterior cervical procedures. Further characterization of this complication is important for guiding clinical prevention and management. Patients ≥ 18 years of age underwent posterior cervical fusion with laminectomy or laminoplasty between C1-T1. Pre- and post-operative dysphagia was assessed by a speech language pathologist. The patient cohort was categorized by approach: Laminectomy + Fusion (LF) and Laminoplasty (LP). Patients were excluded from radiographic analyses if they did not have both baseline and follow-up imaging. The study included 147 LF and 47 LP cases. There were no differences in baseline demographics. There were three patients with new-onset dysphagia in the LF group (1.5% incidence) and no new cases in the LP group (p = 1.000). LF patients had significantly higher rates of post-op complications (27.9% LF vs. 8.5% LP, p = 0.005) but not intra-op complications (6.1% LF vs. 2.1% LP, p = 0.456). Radiographic analysis of the entire cohort showed no significant changes in cervical lordosis, cSVA, or T1 slope. Both group comparisons showed no differences in incidence of dysphagia pre and post operatively. Based on this study, the likelihood of developing dysphagia after LF or LP are similarly low with a new onset dysphagia rate of 1.5%.

Biomechanical Evaluation of Different Surgical Approaches for the Treatment of Adjacent Segment Diseases After Primary Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Finite Element Analysis

Symptomatic adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a common challenge after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The objective of this study was to compare the biomechanical effects of a second ACDF and laminoplasty for the treatment of ASD after primary ACDF. We developed a finite element (FE) model of the C2-T1 based on computed tomography images. The FE models of revision surgeries of ACDF and laminoplasty were simulated to treat one-level and two-level ASD after primary ACDF. The range of motion (ROM) and intradiscal pressure (IDP) of the adjacent segments, and stress in the cord were analyzed to investigate the biomechanical effects of the second ACDF and laminoplasty. The results indicated that revision surgery of one-level ACDF increased the ROM and IDP at the C2–C3 segment, whereas two-level ACDF significantly increased the ROM and IDP at the C2–C3 and C7-T1 segments. Furthermore, no significant changes in the ROM and IDP of the laminoplasty models were observed. The stress in the cord of the re-laminoplasty model decreased to some extent, which was higher than that of the re-ACDF model. In conclusion, both ACDF and laminoplasty can relieve the high level of stress in the spinal cord caused by ASD after primary ACDF, whereas ACDF can achieve better decompression effect. Revision surgery of the superior ACDF or the superior and inferior ACDF after the primary ACDF increased the ROM and IDP at the adjacent segments, which may be the reason for the high incidence of recurrent ASD after second ACDF.