Retrospective Study of Multiple Operations for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

• Published in: Orthopedics & Traumatology Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 377 - 379
• Main Authors: Kifune, Masao, Kawai, Shinya, Sunago, Kouzou, Saika, Minoru, Kawakami, Fujio, Sanuki, Kouichi, Yamamoto, Manabu, Muramatsu, Keiichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: West-Japanese Society of Orthopedics & Traumatology 1992
• ISSN: 0037-1033; 1349-4333
• DOI: 10.5035/nishiseisai.41.377

Since 1957, operative treatment has been performed on 350 cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in our hospital. We achieved very good postoperative results but 23 cases did require a second operation. In to first operation, twenty-one of the 23 cases were operated anteriorly (A) and two posteriorly (P). In the second operation, sixteen patients were treated by A and seven by P. The two patients who required a third, operation, receired a posterior procedure. This report discusses several factors associated with multiply operated necks. Causes of multiple operations include recurrence at the disc level adjacent to the fused disc (9 cases), failure of decision of surgical site (4 cases), poor operative result (4 cases), mischoice of surgical procedures (3 cases), and non-union (2 cases). It is important to carefully decide the affected levels of the cervical spine with radiological and other evaluations, and give consideration to choice of operative methods.