A randomized controlled study of two different fixations in anterior cervical discectomy of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Background: To compare the efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and hybrid fusion (ACDHF) with short-segment plate plus self-locking, stand-alone intervertebral cages versus traditional anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with long-segment plate for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM). Methods: All the patients were randomly divided into two groups. 30 cases underwent ACDHF with short-segment plate and self-locking stand-alone cages (hybrid group), while the other 30 cases received ACDF with long-segment plate (control group). In patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, operation time, blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, length of stay (LOS), visual analogue scale for neck pain (VASNP) scores, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the cervical lordosis before and after the operation (5 days, 3, 6, 12 months after operation and final follow-up) were evaluated. The postoperative complications were analyzed as well. Results: All operations were performed uneventfully with followed-up. Compared with ACDF, ACDHF showed a shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage (p < 0.05). There were no significant difference in LOS between two groups (p > 0.05). Both approaches significantly improved the JOA scores, VASNP scores and the cervical lordosis (p < 0.05). Based on Bazaz grading system, hybrid group had a lower incidence of dysphagia than control group in follow-up periods of 5 days, 3 and 6 months (p < 0.05). Conclusion: ACDF and ACDHF are both effective methods of restoring cervical lordosis following MCSM, but hybrid surgery minimizes intraoperative injury and postoperative dysphagia, making it a viable treatment option for the disorder.