Sagittal split fractures in multilevel cervical arthroplasty using a keeled prosthesis.

This is a case report of intraoperative sagittal split fractures in multilevel cervical disc replacement using a keeled prosthesis. The patient's clinical course is discussed and outcomes measured with the SF-36 questionnaire, oswestry disability index, and visual analog scale neck pain are compared with the other patients at our institution that have undergone multilevel disc replacement. The patient did well and has not had any complications related to the device used or fractures. The risks and techniques to avoid this complication when using a keeled prosthesis are discussed in detail.