Multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated by anterior cervical decompression in subsection and autograft fusion

ObjectiveTo investigate a novel surgical method for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).MethodsTotally 21 patients with multilevel CSM undergoing a novel surgical procedure from April 2001 to January 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients experienced anterior cervical decompression surgery in subsection, autograft fusion and internal fixation. Preoperative, immediate postoperative and follow-up image data, X-rays and semi-quantitative Japanese orthopaedics association (JOA) scores were used to evaluate the restoration of lordosis (Cobb's angle), intervertebral heights, the stability of the cervical spine and the improvement of neurological impairment.ResultsPreoperative symptoms were markedly alleviated or disappeared in most of the patients. According to the JOA scores, the ratio of improvement in neurological function was 72.2%, including excellent in 9 cases (42.9%), good in 7 cases (33.3%), fair in 3 cases (14.3%) and poor in 2 cases (9.5%). Immediate postoperative X-rays showed obvious improvements in lordosis and in the intervertebral height of the cervical spine (P < 0.01). There is no evidence of instrument failure during the mean follow-up period of 14.2 months (9–24 months, P > 0.01).ConclusionAnterior cervical decompression in subsection, autograft fusion and internal fixation is a rational effective method for the surgical treatment of multilevel CSM.