Case studyAnterior decompression and hybrid reconstruction with titanium mesh cage plus plate and self-locking stand-alone cage for the treatment of three-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy

•Anterior hybrid reconstruction can be used to treat adjacent three-level CSM.•This procedure effectively restores cervical lordosis and have high fusion rates.•It can effectively reduce soft tissue complications and lead to good outcomes.

It has been reported that anterior cervical decompression has good clinical outcomes for the treatment of adjacent three-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). However, the application of a long plate in the anterior cervical spine poses substantial risks of soft tissue damage. In this retrospective study, we aimed to analyze the clinical and radiological results of the hybrid construction with titanium mesh cage (TMC) plus plate and self-locking stand-alone cage for treatment of adjacent three-level CSM. A total of 28 consecutive patients with adjacent three-level CSM were treated by anterior decompression and hybrid reconstruction with TMC plus plate and self-locking stand-alone cage. Clinical outcomes, complications, fusion rate and time, cage subsidence and spinal curvature were assessed. The mean follow-up period was 22.8 months. The average operative time was 103 ± 18.5 min, and the average blood loss was 115 ± 13.3 mL. The JOA score and degree of spinal curvature were significantly increased at the final follow-up compared with preoperatively (P < 0.05). Twenty-seven cases finally achieved a solid fusion, and the average time to achieve a solid fusion was 6.2 months. Postoperative complications included one case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage (3.57%), one case of temporary sore throat (3.57%) and two cases of TMC subsidence (7.1%). No dysphagia and hoarseness were observed. Anterior decompression and hybrid reconstruction with TMC plus plate and self-locking stand-alone cage could be used safely and effectively for the treatment of adjacent three-level CSM. It could effectively restore cervical lordosis, reduce the complications related to long plate fixation, and lead to satisfactory outcomes.