Ultrasonic osteotome versus high-speed burr in cervical anterior vertebral subtotal resection: A retrospective study of 81 cases

Aim. - This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of ultrasonic osteotome in cervical anterior vertebral subtotal resection. Methods. - Retrospective clinical data were collated for 81 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who required cervical anterior vertebral subtotal resection. Results. - Group A (n = 40) was treated with an ultrasonic osteotome and group B (n = 41) with a high speed burr. Vertebrectomy time, intraoperative blood loss, surgical complications, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and JOA score improvement were compared. Group A showed significantly shorter vertebrectomy time and significantly less intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.05). In group A, dysphagia occurred in one patient, and superior laryngeal nerve injury in one. Urinary tract infection occurred inone patient in group B. JOA score in both groups significantly increased 3 days after surgery (P < 0.05), and at last follow-up compared with 3 days after surgery (P < 0.05). Conclusion. - Ultrasonic osteotome was a safe and effective tool for subtotal anterior cervical vertebral resection. (C) 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.