J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2015; 76 - A081
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1566400

Surgical Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Danilo Radulović 1, Vladimir Baščarević 1, Irena Cvrkota 1
  • 1Clinic for Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Beograd, Serbia

Introduction Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most important complication of degenerative disease of the cervical spine (disc herniation, osteophytes, hypertrophy of the ligament).

Aim The aim of this study is to present our results of surgical treatment (anterior decompressing procedure) of patients who suffered from CSM and the influencing factors.

Material and Methods This prospective study analyzed group of 150 patients with CSM who underwent the anterior decompressing procedure in Clinique for Neurosurgery in Belgrade. Intensity of myelopathy was determined by Nurick scale of myelopathy. Surgical decompression was established by discectomy with osteophytectomy and instrumentation of cervical spine by using the Medtronic implants (Atlantis, Cornerstone, and Prestige). Mean follow-up period was 20 months.

Results Good functional recovery was noted in 80% of patients. There was no change in clinical status in 17.5% of patients and 2.5% had neurological deterioration.

Conclusion Anterior surgical decompression of cervical spinal cord enables good functional recovery in patients with CSM.

Keywords cervical spondylotic myelopathy; anterior decompression; functional recovery