[Anterior corpectomy combined with cervical spine locking plate for treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy]

Abstract

Objective: To study the value of cervical spine locking plate (CSLP) combined with anterior corpectomy in treating multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Methods: In 55 CSM patients, 36 were male and 19 female, aged on average 51.5 years. The duration of illness was 13 months on average. Pathological segments in 47 patients included two functional segments and in 8 three functional segments. All patients were treated with anterior corpectomy and self-iliac bone graft and CSLP fixation.

Results: 51 patients were followed up for 26 months on average. All grafting bones got solid fusion in 12 to 16 weeks postoperatively. Intervertebral spaces were restored after operation. The physiological curve of the cervical spine was good. The effective rate of operation was 94.1% (48/51) and the excellent rate 78.4% (40/51). The JOA score rose from 8.3 points before operation to 14.1 points after operation.

Conclusions: Anterior corpectomy and osteosynthesis of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy are indicated for CSLP fixation. CSLP in the treatment of cervical spine instability is prospective.