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Published in: Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2/2010

Open Access 01-06-2010 | Original Article

Cervical disc herniation and cervical spondylosis surgically treated by Cloward procedure: a 10-year-minimum follow-up study

Authors: Cesare Faldini, Danilo Leonetti, Matteo Nanni, Alberto Di Martino, Luca Denaro, Vincenzo Denaro, Sandro Giannini

Published in: Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology | Issue 2/2010

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Abstract

Background

Cervical degenerative pathology produces pain and disability, and if conservative treatment fails, surgery is indicated. The aim of this study was to determined whether anterior decompression and interbody fusion according to Cloward is effective for treating segmental cervical degenerative pathology and whether the results are durable after a 10-year-minimum follow-up.

Materials and methods

Fifty-one patients affected by single-level cervical degenerative pathology between C4 and C7 were surgically treated by the Cloward procedure. Clinical evaluation was rated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the visual analog scale (VAS). At last follow-up, the outcomes were rated according to Odom’s criteria. On radiographs, the sagittal segmental alignment (SSA) of the affected level and the sagittal alignment of the cervical spine (SACS) were measured.

Results

Average NDI was 34 preoperatively and 11 at last follow-up. Average VAS was 7 preoperatively and 1 at last follow-up. According to Odom’s criteria, the outcome was considered excellent in 18 cases, good in 22, and fair in 11. Average SSA was 0.5 ± 2.1 preoperatively, 1.8 ± 3.8 at 6 months, and 1.8 ± 5.7 at last follow-up. Average SACS was 16.5 ± 4.0 preoperatively, 20.9 ± 5.8 at 6 months, and 19.9 ± 6.4 at last follow-up. Degenerative changes at the adjacent levels were observed in 18 patients (35.3%).

Conclusions

The Cloward procedure proved to be a suitable and effective technique for treating segmental cervical degenerative pathology, allowing good clinical and radiographic outcomes even at a long-term follow-up.
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Metadata
Title
Cervical disc herniation and cervical spondylosis surgically treated by Cloward procedure: a 10-year-minimum follow-up study
Authors
Cesare Faldini
Danilo Leonetti
Matteo Nanni
Alberto Di Martino
Luca Denaro
Vincenzo Denaro
Sandro Giannini
Publication date
01-06-2010
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology / Issue 2/2010
Print ISSN: 1590-9921
Electronic ISSN: 1590-9999
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10195-010-0093-z

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