Development of differentiated surgical technique for treating patients with multilevel degenerative diseases of cervical spine

Abstract

Background. Currently, there is no uniform tactics for the differentiated use of dorsal decompressive-stabilizing techniques for multilevel degenerative diseases of the cervical spine, and the results of these technologies application are largely controversial.Aim. Analysis of the unsatisfactory outcomes of dorsal decompressive-stabilizing interventions in the treatment of patients with multilevel degenerative diseases of the cervical spine and development of a clinical-instrumental algorithm for differentiated surgical tactics.Material and Methods. A retrospective study included 112 patients with degenerative diseases of the cervical spine at two levels or more due to hernias of intervertebral discs, yellow ligament hypertrophy and arthrosis of facet joints, which in 2007–2014 underwent dorsal decompressive-stabilizing interventions in the volume of laminotomy with laminoplasty (LP) and laminectomy with fixation for lateral masses (LF). A correlation analysis of clinical parameters with anamnestic data, instrumental parameters, a feature of accepted surgical tactics and postoperative adverse effects.Results. In the analysis, it was established that "satisfactory" postoperative outcomes of LP are associated with a neutral or lordotic configuration of the cervical spine, the preservation of segmental movements without clinical and instrumental signs of instability. In addition, the use of LF is possible with mobile kyphotization of the cervical spine and the presence of translational instability of the cervical segments. The "unsatisfactory" postoperative results of the LP and LF are in direct correlation with the duration of the disease, the presence of myelopathic focus and rigid kyphosis of the cervical region.Conclusion. Differential use of dorsal decompressive-stabilizing techniques based on a comprehensive assessment of disease duration, configuration of the cervical spine, spinal cord condition and volume of segmental movements allows to reduce neurological symptoms, improve the level of pain and improve the functional status of patients, as well as significantly reduce the number of adverse outcomes associated with the progression of kyphotic deformity, deterioration of neurological symptoms and revision on-line decompressive-stabilizing interventions.

Keywords

• multilevel degenerative diseases
• cervical spine
• clinical manifestations
• diagnosis
• surgical treatment