For anterior spine column reconstruction after corpectomy, expandable cages offer solid anterior support and allow correction of deformity, providing excellent primary stability. To provide a larger body of clinical observations concerning the effectiveness of the approach, this retrospective study examines patients treated by corpectomy and reconstruction with an expandable cage for different pathologies.
Across 5 years, 39 patients underwent vertebral reconstruction with expandable cages after single ( = 34), double ( = 4), or triple ( = 1) corpectomy. Pathologies were tumors ( = 21), fractures, or deformities in traumatic injuries ( = 14), degenerative pathology ( = 2), and infection ( = 2). Levels were cervical ( = 10), thoracic ( = 14), and lumbar ( = 15). All patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically.
There were no cases of neurologic deterioration. Nurick grade showed significant improvement at 3 months postoperative versus preoperative ( < 0.01). Visual analog scale significantly improved preoperatively versus 3 and 12 months postoperatively (both = 0). Regional angulation was significantly corrected, from preoperative to 3 and 12 months postoperative, at cervical, thoracic, and lumbar levels. We achieved reconstruction of the normal local anatomy with full recovery of the height of the vertebral body. Six patients (15.4%) had complications and two (5.1%) underwent revision surgery.
In our experience, expandable cages confer stable anterior support, providing significant improvement of the segmental kyphosis angle and restoration of the original somatic height. Our clinical results are favorable, and the low rate of complications and revision accentuates the expandable cage as a valuable tool to replace the vertebral body in diverse pathologies and different spine levels.
Related Posts
Sleep time and sleep-related symptoms across two generations – results of the community-based RHINE and RHINESSA studies.
February 13, 2020
Loss of hnRNPA2B1 inhibits malignant capability and promotes apoptosis via down-regulating Lin28B expression in ovarian cancer.
February 4, 2020
Advertisement
Meeting Coverage
- ACC 2020The American College of Cardiology decided to cancel ACC.20/WCC due to COVID-19, which was scheduled to take place March 28-30 in Chicago. However, ACC.20/WCC Virtual Meeting continues to release cutting edge science and practice changing updates for cardiovascular professionals on demand and free through June 2020.