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. 1998 Nov 15;23(22):2455-61.
doi: 10.1097/00007632-199811150-00022.

Four-level cervical corpectomy

R L Saunders  1 , H J Pikus, P Ball
Affiliations

Four-level cervical corpectomy

R L Saunders et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). .

Abstract

Study design: Retrospective analysis of 31 cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated by four-level subaxial cervical corpectomy.

Objective: To determine whether extremes of anterior decompression and fusion have inordinate or unique levels of morbidity.

Summary of background data: There is a paucity of data on experience with four-level corpectomy. However, counsel against such surgery can be found.

Materials and methods: The records and studies of 31 consecutive cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, treated by four-level corpectomy, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients in 26 cases were observed longer than 2 years. No hardware was used in the procedures. External orthosis, worn for 6 months, was a Philadelphia-type collar in 25 patients and a halo vest in 6.

Results: Three patients died within 3 weeks of surgery (9.7%). Delayed radiculopathy occurred in four patients after surgery, three had acute graft complications, and one had pseudomeningocele, for a morbidity rate of 25.8%. There was no infection or worsened myelopathy.

Conclusions: No unique morbidity is associated with extremes of subaxial decompression when compared with surgery of lesser extent.

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