Clinical CommentaryCervical spondylotic myelopathy: National trends in the treatment and peri-operative outcomes over 10Â years

- Combined approaches, posterior only, and ACDF procedures increased for CSM treatment.
- Decrease in mortality and an increase in morbidity was observed from 2001 to 2010.
- Length of hospital stay decreased for ACDF but was constant for all other procedures.
- Total charges for all considered procedures increased over the time 2001-2010.

BackgroundRecent studies show increases in cervical spine surgery prevalence and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) diagnoses in the US. However, few studies have examined outcomes for CSM surgical management, particularly on a nationwide scale.ObjectiveEvaluate national trends from 2001 to 2010 for CSM patient surgical approach, postoperative outcomes, and hospital characteristics.MethodsA retrospective nationwide database analysis provided by the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) including CSM patients aged 25+ who underwent anterior and/or posterior cervical fusion or laminoplasty from 2001 to 2010. Patients with fractures, 9+ levels fused, or any cancer were excluded. Measures included demographics, hospital data, and procedure-related complications. Yearly trends were analyzed using linear regression modeling.Results54,348 discharge cases were identified. ACDF, posterior only, and combined anterior/posterior approach volumes significantly increased from 2001 to 2010 (98.62%, 303.07%, and 576.19%; respectively, p < 0.05). However, laminoplasty volume remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Total charges for ACDF, posterior only, combined anterior/posterior, and laminoplasty approaches all significantly increased (138.72%, 176.74%, 182.48%, and 144.85%, respectively; p < 0.05). For all procedures, overall mortality significantly decreased by 45.34% (p = 0.001) and overall morbidity increased by 33.82% (p = 0.0002). For all procedures except ACDF, which saw a significantly decrease by 8.75% (p < 0.0001), length of hospital stay was unchanged.ConclusionsFor CSM patients between 2001 and 2010, combined surgical approach increased sixfold, posterior only approach increased threefold, and ACDF doubled; laminoplasties without fusion volume remained the same. Mortality decreased whereas morbidity and total charges increased. Length of stay decreased only for ACDF approach. This study provides clinically useful data to direct future research, improving patient outcomes.