Multilevel cervical arthroplasty-clinical and radiological outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is a valid option for single-level cervical disc disease (CDD) as an alternative to fusion. However, the use in 3- and 4-level disc disease is under scrutiny with scarce data published so far. Our aim was to study clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroplasty in patients with multilevel CDD.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of clinical records, pre- and post-operative neutral/dynamic X-rays of patients who underwent CDA in multilevel CDD (2-4 levels). We evaluated sagittal balance parameters (C2-7 and index angle, SVA), global and segmental range of motion (ROM)), neck and arm VAS, Odom's criteria, re-operation rate, adjacent segment disease (ASD), willingness to undertake the same procedure again. Rate of heterotopic ossification (HO) was studied for follow-up >2 years. A subgroup analysis was performed regarding 2-level versus 3- or 4-level arthroplasty.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were included, 6 males and 26 females, mean age of 46 years (range, 30-63). Seventy-seven cervical disc levels were treated with the same artificial disc. Twenty-one patients were operated on 2 levels, nine in 3 levels, and 2 patients in 4 levels. Post-operatively, there was a decrease in SVA (-2.2±8.36 mm, P=0.098) and an increase in global (3.7±9.6º, P=0.042) and index (1.3±6.1º, P=0.071) ROM. Mean nVAS and aVAS decreased (7.5±1.1 to 2.5±1.5; 6.3±1.9 to 2.2±1.7, P<0.05). Two-level versus 3-4 level patient subgroups showed a lower SVA (-1.3±8.1 mm P=0.47; -3.4±6.3 mm P=0.107), a slight increase in global (1.6±9.4º P=0.44; 7.2±11.7º P=0.07) and index (1.1±4.7º P=0.12; 1.3±8.1º P=0.35) ROM. HO was present in 9.9% (7/71) of disc levels operated, none of them with grade 3 or 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Multilevel CDA provides good clinical and radiological outcomes, preserving global and segmental cervical mobility, while having a beneficial effect on sagittal balance. These results hold for 2 to 4 levels, making this technique a valuable option in selected patients with cervical multilevel CDD.