Indications for circumferential surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Abstract

Background context

The surgical management of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) remains challenging.

Purpose

To review the indications, techniques, and results of circumferential fusion for CSM.

Conclusion

Circumferential decompression and stabilization with instrumentation is a viable option to treat selected complex cervical spine disorders. It provides immediate stabilization of the spine, decreases anterior graft and instrumentation failure, and can obviate the need for postoperative halo immobilization.

Keywords: Circumferential stabilization, Cervical myelopathy, Cervical spondylosis, Cervical spine trauma, Cervical deformity, OPLL, Spinal instrumentation, Anterior cervical plating, Lateral mass fixation, Cervical pedicle screw, Cervical fusion

Department of Neurosurgery, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA

Corresponding author. Department of Neurosurgery, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157. Tel.: (336) 716-4081; fax: (336) 716-3065.

FDA device/drug status: approved but not for this indication (Vertex, Medtronic).

Nothing of value received from a commercial entity related to this manuscript.

PII: S1529-9430(06)00221-X

doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2006.04.025

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