Researchers analyzed the reoperation rates of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and myelopathy following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, in a study published in Spine.
The study involved patients from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service national database. The patients had cervical spondylotic radiculopathy or myelopathy, and underwent ACDFbetween January 2009 and June 2014. The study further divided the patients into two groups dependent on their diagnosis codes for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy or cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Here are four observations:
1. The researchers found an overall reoperation rate of 2.45 percent.
2. Patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy experienced a significantly higher reoperation rate than those patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.
3. The study identified the male sex; diabetes or associated comorbidities; and hospital type as reoperation risk factors.
4. The researchers concluded patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy saw a higher reoperation rate following ACDF, compared to patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, based on the Korean national patient population.