A new study published in The Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques examines cervical kyphosis correction outcomes and complications.
The researchers conducted a retrospective review of 76 kyphosis patients undergoing cervical deformity surgery. The single-institution study was performed to examine complications, radiographic outcomes and long-term functional outcomes for patients.
Here are five findings from the study's abstract:
1. Most patients reported either excellent or good outcomes. There were around 15 percent who reported excellent outcomes and 50 percent who reported good outcomes.
2. The average modified Japanese orthopedic association score improvement was 1.3.
3. There were 19 patients — 25 percent — who reported 26 perioperative complications.
4. The ventral-alone and combined approaches achieved similar correction degrees. The ventral-alone approach achieved 23.1 degrees of correction and the combined approach had an average of 23.2 degrees of correction.
5. Patients who underwent the combined approach had the highest complication rate. Broken down, the complication rates were:
• Combined: 40 percent
• Ventral: 30 percent
• Dorsal: 27 percent
6. The average neurological improvement in the moderate Japanese orthopedic association was:
• Dorsal: 1.95
• Ventral: 3
• Combined: 1.26
7. The average pain improvement for the patients was:
• Dorsal: 0.8
• Ventral: 2
• Combined: 1.4
"Given the moderate improvements in long-term outcomes, and the risks for perioperative complications, we recommend a careful selection process for patients eligible for cervical deformity surgery," concluded the study authors. "We found that the ventral approach has reduced complications, similar degrees of correction capability and potentially higher improved neurological outcomes compared to the combined approach."