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Biomedical subjects

Christopher P Ames

Publications and source records attributed to Christopher P Ames.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Successful treatment of cervical myelopathy with minimal morbidity by circumferential decompression and fusion.

Circumferential cervical decompression and fusion (CCDF) is an important technique for treating patients with severe cervical myelopathy. While circumferential cervical decompression and fusion may provide improved spinal cord decompression and stability compared to unilateral techniques, it is commonly associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing CCDF at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) between January 2003 and December 2004. We identified 53 patients and reviewed their medical records to determine the effectiveness of CCDF for improving myelopathy, pain, and neurological function. Degree of fusion, functional anatomic alignment, and stability were also assessed. Operative morbidity and mortality were measured. The most common causes of cervical myelopathy, instability, or deformity were degenerative disease (57%) and traumatic injury (34%). Approximately one-fifth of patients had a prior fusion performed elsewhere and presented with fusion failure or adjacent-level degeneration. Postoperatively, all patients had stable (22.6%) or improved (77.4%) Nurick grades. The average preoperative and postoperative Nurick grades were 2.1 +/- 1.9 and 0.4 +/- 0.9, respectively. Pain improved in 85% of patients. All patients had radiographic evidence of fusion at last follow-up. The most common complication was transient dysphagia. Our average clinical follow-up was 27.5 +/- 9.5 months. We present an extensive series of patients and demonstrate that cervical myelopathy can successfully be treated with CCDF with minimal operative morbidity. CCDF may provide more extensive decompression of the spinal cord and may be more structurally stable. Concerns regarding operation-associated morbidity should not strongly influence whether CCDF is performed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Corpectomy followed by the placement of instrumentation with titanium cages and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 for vertebral osteomyelitis.

OBJECT: The treatment of vertebral osteomyelitis includes antibiotics with or without surgical intervention. The decision to place instrumentation into an infected spinal column remains controversial. The use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in patients with osteomyelitis is also extremely controversial. The authors review their experience in performing corpectomy and fusion with titanium cages and rhBMP-2 in patients with vertebral instability and/or neurological compromise due to vertebral osteomyelitis. METHODS: Data obtained in 15 patients treated between 2001 and 2005 were included in this analysis. Nine patients presented primarily with axial pain and six with radiculopathy or myelopathy. Seven patients had an associated epidural abscess. The cervical spine was affected in six patients, the thoracic spine in five, and the lumbar spine in four. All patients underwent corpectomy of the involved vertebral bodies; the authors then performed spinal reconstruction, placing a titanium cage-plate system with morcellized allograft/autograft and rhBMP-2. In 10 patients, supplemental posterolateral screw-rod fixation was conducted. A one-level corpectomy was performed in one patient, a two-level corpectomy in 13, and a six-level corpectomy in one. A morcellized allograft and rhBMP-2-filled titanium cage was used in 10 patients, and an autograft and rhBMP-2-filled cage in five patients. The most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus. All patients received intravenous antibiotics for at least 6 weeks postoperatively, and life-long antibiotic therapy was required in three patients with coccidiomycoses, candida, and tuberculosis osteomyelitis, respectively. There were no recurrent infections. Radiography demonstrated evidence of fusion in all patients at the last follow-up examination. The mean follow-up period was 20 months. CONCLUSIONS: Corpectomy followed by titanium cage-plate reconstruction and the placement of rhBMP-2 may be a safe and effective treatment for selected patients with vertebral osteomyelitis. This surgical therapy does not appear, at least based on preliminary results, to lead to recurrent hardware infections. Based on the results obtained in this limited series, the authors found that rhBMP-2 can be used in the setting of active infection with excellent fusion rates and without complication. The morbidity associated with the autograft donor site is avoided when using cages. Antibiotic therapy tailored to the specific organism should be continued for at least 6 weeks after surgery, and life-long therapy is required in cases of fungal or tuberculosis infections.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Successful outcome of six-level cervicothoracic corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction: case report and review of literature on multilevel cervicothoracic corpectomy.

UNLABELLED: The authors report the successful outcome of a six-level corpectomy across the cervico-thoracic spine with circumferential reconstruction in a patient with extensive osteomyelitis of the cervical and upper thoracic spine. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a corpectomy extending across six levels of the cervico-thoracic spine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: the authors recommend anterior cage and plate-assisted reconstruction and additional posterior instrumentation using modern spinal surgical techniques and implants.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2006

Coblation of spinal endplates in preparation for interbody spinal fusion.

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) have become routine alternatives to intertransverse process fusion. The use of Coblation (ArthroCare Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA) allows for routine and reproducible removal of cartilaginous endplate down to the bony endplate. Our experience with this new technology is reviewed. The authors used Coblation to prepare endplates of 10 consecutive patients undergoing interbody fusion. The results were compared to the following 10 consecutive patients undergoing interbody fusion with endplates prepared in the standard fashion with curettes and rongeurs. The same interbody grafts and instrumentation were used in all patients. Follow-up X-rays were done at 1 week, 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and then each year thereafter. The 20 patients were reviewed along with their films. In each patient the disk spaces and the ALIF/PLIF cages appeared to be fused by 6 months. There was one superficial wound infection in each group. In each of the cases in which PLIF was performed, the cages were augmented by posterior lateral graft and pedicle screw fixation. All patients in both groups reported improvement in pain and/or neurologic symptoms by 6 months. The patients were followed for 4.6 years in the Coblation group and 4.1 years in the standard group. Disk space height was measured in all patients at 6 months. In the Coblation group, average disk space height was 9.0 mm compared to 8.2 mm in the standard group (p<0.1). We feel that the maintenance of normal structures within the lumbar spine with anterior/posterior lumbar interbody fusions and non-mechanical means of preparing the endplates are advantageous. Clearly, the number of patients involved and the length of follow-up limit this study, but it serves as an early indicator that endplate preparation may play a role in graft subsidence and fusion rates. Additional study is warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Recent advances: infections of the spine.

The global increase of spinal infections is concomitant with the rise of its risk factors, including HIV/AIDS, diabetes mellitus, intravenous drug use, advanced age, and gunshot wounds to the spine. Because spinal infections have a wide span of presentation, early detection and differentiation are notoriously challenging. Current advances in laboratory and imaging techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, and 99mTc-ciprofloxacin scintigraphy, allow for better diagnostic rendering of the infection and its degree of spinal involvement. Less invasive surgical procedures and preventive surgical management have helped reduce spinal infection morbidities such as deformity and neurologic deficit. Although proper antibiotic regimen and correct surgical management are of vital importance to successful patient outcome, early detection remains the most critical factor.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine in neurosurgical patients.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Very little information regarding effects on ICP, CPP and the safety of dexmedetomidine in neurosurgical patients has been published. The objective of this study is to gather information on the dosage, sedative effects and adverse effects of dexmedetomidine in neurosurgical patients. RESEARCH DESIGN: The study design was retrospective and descriptive. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Computerized data were collected from the records of 39 neurosurgical patients in the ICU who received dexmedetomidine between October 2001 and December 2004. MAP, SBP, DBP, HR, ICP and CPP were recorded. The parameter means and standard deviations were obtained and plotted against time. EXPERIMENTAL INTERVENTIONS: Dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 agonist, provides adequate sedation without altering respiratory drive, while facilitating frequent neurological examinations. The FDA approved a dosage range for a loading infusion of 0.1 mcg kg-1 infused over 10 minutes followed by 0.2-0.7 mcg kg-1 h-1 continuous infusion for 24 hours. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: A total of 39 patients were enrolled in the study; 26 men and 13 women. The mean age was 34 years. Of the patients enrolled in the study, 15 were successfully extubated with no adverse reactions while maintaining adequate sedation. Agitation was the predominant adverse reaction. Hypotension occurred in 10 patients. The mean CPP increased and the mean ICP decreased. The standard deviation for the means of the ICP and CPP were small and did not fluctuate as widely as the haemodynamic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine can be a safe and effective sedative agent for neurosurgical patients. A loading infusion should be avoided and higher maintenance doses may be required to ensure adequate sedation. Further studies are necessary to establish an optimal dosage regimen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Current treatment strategies and outcomes in the management of symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the outcome of patients with symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas treated at University of California, San Francisco, over a 20 year period. Treatment included transarterial embolization, embolization followed by surgical decompression or vertebral reconstruction with arthrodesis, and percutaneous vertebroplasty alone. METHODS: All medical, surgical, and radiological records were reviewed retrospectively. All patients underwent follow-up neurological examination and evaluation of back pain. RESULTS: Sixteen patients diagnosed with symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas causing pain or neurological deficit were treated at University of California, San Francisco, between 1984 and 2004. Mean follow-up was 81 months. Seven of nine patients undergoing surgical decompression and tumor resection reported pain relief and demonstrated improvement in neurological deficit when present. Two patients had recurrent myelopathy: one was successfully treated with a second decompressive surgery, whereas the second underwent a staged vertebrectomy. All three patients undergoing vertebrectomy had cord compression from extraosseous tumor growth. Preoperative embolization reduced expected intraoperative blood loss in four patients. Three of four patients who underwent transarterial embolization alone experienced resolution of back pain. Two of four patients treated with vertebroplasty had long-term pain relief. CONCLUSION: Transarterial embolization followed by laminectomy is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of cord compression by vertebral hemangioma causing stenosis without instability or deformity. Vertebrectomy preceded by embolization and followed by reconstruction can be used to treat cord compression from extraosseous tumor extension. Transarterial embolization without decompression is an effective treatment for painful intraosseous hemangiomas. Vertebroplasty is useful for improving pain symptoms, especially when vertebral body compression fracture has occurred in patients without neurological deficit, but is less effective in providing long-term pain relief.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Expandable cylindrical cages in the cervical spine: a review of 22 cases.

OBJECT: Expandable cylindrical cages (ECCs) have been utilized successfully to reconstruct the thoracic and lumbar spine. Their advantages include ease of insertion, reduced endplate trauma, direct application/maintenance of interbody distraction force, and one-step kyphosis correction. The authors present their experience with ECCs in the reconstruction of the cervical spine in patients with various pathological conditions. METHODS: Data obtained in 22 patients were reviewed retrospectively. A standard anterior cervical corpectomy was performed in all cases. Local vertebral body bone was harvested for use as graft material. Patients underwent pre- and postoperative assessment involving the visual analog scale (VAS), Nurick grading system for determining myelopathy disability, and radiographic studies to determine cervical kyphosis/lordosis and cage subsidence. Fusion was defined as the absence of motion on flexion-extension x-ray films. Sixteen patients presented with spondylotic myelopathy, two with osteomyelitis, two with fracture, one with tumor metastasis, and one with severe stenosis. Fourteen patients underwent supplemental posterior spinal fusion, seven underwent single-level corpectomy, and 15 patients underwent multilevel corpectomy. No perioperative complications occurred. The mean follow-up period was 22 months. In 11 patients with preexisting kyphosis (mean deformity +19 degrees), the mean correction was 22 degrees. There was no statistically significant difference in subsidence between single- and multilevel corpectomy or between 360 degrees fusion and anterior fusion alone. The VAS scores improved by 35%, and the Nurick grade improved by 31%. The fusion rate was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results support the use of ECCs in the cervical spine in the treatment of patients with various disease processes. No significant subsidence was noted, and pain and functional scores improved in all cases. Expandable cylindrical cages appear to be well suited for cervical reconstruction and for correcting sagittal malalignment.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in an experimental model of spinal fusion in a radiated area.

STUDY DESIGN: An animal model of posterolateral intertransverse process spine fusion was used. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) can overcome the adverse effects of radiation treatment (RT) on spine fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal metastases are common. Some of these patients are candidates for spinal cord decompression and vertebral reconstruction; however, radiation has significant adverse effects on bone healing. METHODS: A posterolateral fusion model was used with rhBMP-2 or iliac crest bone graft (ICBG). Eighty one-year-old rabbits were divided into eight groups: 1) RT 14 days before surgery, rhBMP-2; 2) RT 14 days before surgery, ICBG; 3) RT 2 days after surgery, rhBMP-2; 4) RT 2 days after surgery, ICBG; 5) RT 14 days after surgery, rhBMP-2; 6) RT 14 days after surgery, ICBG; 7) no RT, rhBMP-2; 8) no RT, ICBG. Animals were killed approximately 35 days after surgery. Manual palpation was the definitive test of fusion. Biomechanical and histologic assessments were also performed. RESULTS: All rhBMP-2 groups had significantly greater fusion rates versus respective ICBG control groups: 1 (86%) versus 2 (0%) (P = 0.005), 3 (100%) versus 4 (0%) (P < 0.0001), 5 (100%) versus 6 (0%) (P < 0.0001), and 7 (100%) versus 8 (60%) (P = 0.003). Stiffness and ultimate strength did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups. Histologic assessment confirmed new bone formation in the fusion masses from rhBMP-2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of rhBMP-2 produced a significantly greater rate of fusion compared with ICBG in a previously radiated area in an animal model, without the morbidity of ICBG harvesting and without the risk of inadvertently using autograft contaminated by micrometastases.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Biomechanical comparison of posterior lumbar interbody fusion and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion performed at 1 and 2 levels.

STUDY DESIGN: Biomechanical laboratory study of human cadaveric spines. OBJECTIVE: To determine the difference in acute stability between posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) performed at 1 and 2 levels with and without posterior fixation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Circumferential spinal fusion with both an interbody graft and posterior pedicle screw-rod construct has been advocated to decrease pseudarthrosis rates. Both PLIF and TLIF theoretically allow for 3-column fixation and fusion. METHODS: Specimens underwent either PLIF or TLIF at L2-L3 (single-level) and L3-L4 (2-level), both with and without pedicle screw instrumentation. During TLIF, an interbody allograft was placed in the anterior or middle column. Nondestructive, nonconstraining pure moment loading was applied to each specimen. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the range of motion after either PLIF or TLIF at 1 level. The addition of pedicle screws tended more strongly to increase rigidity after 1-level PLIF compared to TLIF. Position of the TLIF graft did not affect stability. The addition of pedicle screws to a 2-level construct significantly reduced all motions tested. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, posterior fixation with a pedicle screw-rod construct is suggested for 1-level PLIF and TLIF, and is necessary to achieve stability after interbody fusion across 2 levels using either technique.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2005

The potential role of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration: a critical overview.

Low-back pain is the most common health problem for men and women between 20 and 50 years of age, resulting in 13 million doctor visits in the US annually, with significant costs to society in terms of lost time from work and direct and indirect medical expenses. Although the exact origin of most cases of low-back pain remains unknown, it is understood that degenerative damage to the intervertebral disc (IVD) plays a central role in the pathogenic mechanism leading to this disorder. Current treatment modalities for disc-related back pain (selective nerve root blocks, surgical discectomy and fusion) are costly procedures aimed only at alleviating symptoms. Consequently, there is growing interest in the development of novel technologies to repair or regenerate the degenerated IVD. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been found to possess the capacity to differentiate into nucleus pulposus-like cells capable of synthesizing a physiological, proteoglycan-rich extracellular matrix characteristic of healthy IVDs. In this article, the authors review the use of MSCs for repopulation of the degenerating IVD. Although important obstacles to the survival and proliferation of stem cells within the degenerating disc need to be overcome, the potential for MSC therapy to slow or reverse the degenerative process remains substantial.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Biomechanics of stabilization after cervicothoracic compression-flexion injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Biomechanical laboratory research. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether anterior, posterior, or combined instrumentation provides the best stability for treating a cervicothoracic compression-flexion injury. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: As the junction between the mobile cervical spine and rigid thoracic spine, the cervicothoracic junction poses unique challenges to the success of any fixation system spanning this region. Although posterior instrumentation is the preferred method of fixation in the unstable cervical spine, it is unknown whether this is the case across the unstable cervicothoracic junction. METHODS: Flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation of cadaveric specimens were studied during application of nondestructive pure moments in a sequence of conditions: (1) intact, (2) after destabilization, (3) with posterior instrumentation from C6-T1 or T2, and (4) with corpectomy/graft and anterior alone or combined anterior/posterior instrumentation. RESULTS: Compared to anterior instrumentation, posterior instrumentation allowed an 89% smaller range of motion (ROM) during lateral bending (P = 0.01) and 64% smaller ROM during axial rotation (P = 0.04). In most loading modes, combined instrumentation outperformed either anterior or posterior instrumentation alone. Most biomechanical measurements of stability improved when posterior instrumentation was extended from T1 to T2. Small and usually insignificant reductions in ROM averaging 15% were observed with C7 included in the posterior construct versus C7 excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Combined instrumentation provides a significant improvement in stability over either anterior or posterior instrumentation alone. Extension of the posterior instrumentation to include T2 improves stability at T1-T2 as well as rostral levels. Inclusion of C7 in the construct is largely inconsequential biomechanically.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Biomechanical analysis of a resorbable anterior cervical graft containment plate.

STUDY DESIGN: A series of in vitro experiments were performed in human cadaveric cervical spines in the normal condition, after discectomy and graft, and instrumented with MacroPore resorbable anterior plates (MacroPore, San Diego, CA). Flexibility, graft containment, and load-to-failure were studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess the stability, strength, and resistance to graft extrusion provided by the resorbable plate after discectomy and grafting. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Metallic plates are known to improve stability after discectomy and graft. Resorbable plates have not been evaluated regarding stability offered or ability to contain the graft. METHODS: Specimens were loaded using nonconstraining, nondestructive torques to induce flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. One and 2-level specimens were studied: (1) normal, (2) after discectomy and graft, (3) after resorbable plating with 2 screws per vertebra, and (4) after resorbable plating with 3 screws per vertebra. All specimens were loaded to failure after completing nondestructive tests. Additional 1-level specimens with and without resorbable plate were tested for graft containment using anterior shear force directly on the graft. RESULTS: The 1-level resorbable plate did not limit motion significantly better than grafted but unplated specimens. However, 2-level resorbable plates allowed significantly less motion than grafted but unplated specimens during all loading modes (P < 0.05). Specimens with resorbable plates resisted graft extrusion significantly better than unplated specimens. With 1-level resorbable plates, 2 or 3 screws per vertebra provided equivalent stability; in 2-level plates, 3 screws provided significantly better stability. Comparison to previous 1-level metallic plate data revealed a significant difference in motion only during flexion. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-level resorbable plate does not increase stability compared to grafted but unplated specimens and provides less stability than a metal plate, especially during flexion. However, the resorbable plate substantially improves resistance to graft extrusion. The 2-level resorbable plate significantly reduces motion compared to grafted but unplated specimens. When applying a 2-level plate, 3 screws per vertebra are recommended. In a 1-level plate, 2 or 3 screws per vertebra are equivalent.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2005

Biomechanical analysis of rigid stabilization techniques for three-column injury in the lower cervical spine.

STUDY DESIGN: Comparison of nondestructive multidirectional flexibility in groups of specimens receiving two different posterior instrumentation constructs with or without anterior plating. OBJECTIVE: To compare stability after a three-column injury stabilized posteriorly by lateral mass screws-rods at C5-C6 and pedicle screws-rods at C7 ("LLP") or by pedicle screws-rods at C5-C6-C7 ("PPP"), and to compare posterior, anterior, and combined anterior-posterior fixation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Pedicle screws resist pullout better than lateral mass screws, but little research has compared the stability of pedicle screws to that of lateral mass screws used within constructs. METHODS: Fourteen human cadaveric C4-T1 specimens were tested intact, posteriorly instrumented (7 LLP and 7 PPP), anteriorly instrumented, or with combined (anterior-posterior) instrumentation. Nonconstraining, nondestructive torques induced flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation while angular motion was recorded optically. RESULTS: Posterior, anterior, and combined instrumentation each significantly improved stability (P < 0.05). Combined fixation provided significantly better stability than either anterior or posterior instrumentation alone. In no loading mode and in no testing condition was any parameter significantly different between LLP and PPP. Posterior instrumentation provided significantly better stability than anterior instrumentation. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior plate and posterior screw-rod fixation alone improve stability in a two-level, three-column cervical injury model. Combined fixation further improves stability. There is little discernible difference in immediate postoperative stability between posterior rod constructs combining lateral mass and pedicle screws and those using only pedicle screws.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Kyphoplasty-augmented short-segment pedicle screw fixation of traumatic lumbar burst fractures: initial clinical experience and literature review.

OBJECT: Surgical intervention for thoracolumbar burst fractures is indicated for patients with neurological deficits and/or evidence of severe spinal instability. The goals of surgery are decompression, deformity correction, and stabilization. Nevertheless, the optimal surgical strategy to achieve these goals remains a subject of debate. Short-segment pedicle screw fixation is associated with a 20 to 50% incidence of pedicle screw failure and progressive spinal deformity. Initial biomechanical and clinical studies have shown that reinforcement of short-segment pedicle screw fixation with vertebroplasty improves spinal stability and decreases instrument failure rates. In this study, the authors describe their initial clinical experience with kyphoplasty used to augment short-segment pedicle screw fixation of traumatic lumbar burst fractures. METHODS: Five patients with traumatic burst fractures of the lumbar spine were included in this retrospective review of patients treated for this disorder at the University of California, San Diego and the University of California, San Francisco between 2002 and 2004. All patients underwent transpedicular kyphoplasty and short-segment pedicle screw fixation. The mean follow-up period was 10.6 months (range 6-18 months). All patients underwent short-segment pedicle screw fixation reinforced with polymethyl methacrylate kyphoplasty. The preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up plain x-ray films were evaluated. Radiographic analysis included measurements of kyphotic angulation, anterior vertebral body height, and evidence of bone fusion. Clinical evaluation was performed postoperatively and at follow-up review. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the authors' initial experience, kyphoplasty supplementation may improve the long-term integrity of short-segment pedicle screw constructs and allow for improved rates of fusion and better clinical outcomes in patients with traumatic lumbar burst fractures.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

General considerations for cervical arthroplasty with technique for ProDisc-C.

Motion-preserving spinal arthroplasty is a triumph of modern biomechanics, material sciences, and surgical technique. The ability to remove entire intervertebral discs and re-place them with prostheses that preserve height and alignment as well as motion and stability, all the while alleviating the pain and spinal cord compression, is the result of nearly 50 years of progress in joint arthroplasty. Although the clear benefit or danger of artificial cervical discs is still unknown, they are already fundamentally changing the field of cervical spine surgery and are undoubtedly going to establish their place in the armamentarium for spinal surgeons. Short-term follow-up studies indicate that cervical arthroplasty is as safe and effective as traditional fusion surgery, but follow-up studies are no longer needed.

Arthroplasty, Replacement↗