Fusion Rate of Anterior Cervical Plating after Corpectomy

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the neurological recovery and fusion rate of patients with myelopathy who were treated with anterior corpectomy and anterior cervical plating. Methods. The results of 17 cervical myelopathy patients who underwent decompression and anterior cervical plating were retrospectively reviewed at a mean follow-up of 2 years. Results. By Kurokawa score, 82.4% of patients showed excellent-to-good results. The fusion rates of 2-level and 3-level anterior cervical corpectomy, and of anterior plate fixation were 100%. There were no implant- or graft-related complications. Transient dysphagia in 9 (52.9%) patients resolved after a mean of 3 months (range, 1–9 months). Conclusion. The use of anterior cervical plating after anterior corpectomy and fusion with autologous bone graft greatly enhances arthrodesis. The improved fusion rate and low complication rate associated with anterior cervical plating may justify its use in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.