Anterior surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy: review article.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a common indication for cervical spine surgery. Surgical options include anterior, posterior, or combined procedures each with specific advantages and disadvantages.

Questions/purposes

This article will provide a description of the various anterior alternatives and discuss the available evidence used in guiding the surgical decision making process with the aim of answering the following questions: (1) What anatomical/disease related factors favor anterior over posterior surgeries? (2) What are the common anterior procedures and how safe and effective are they? (3) What are the most effective options for multilevel CSM? (4) Is there a role for motion preservation? An additional objective is to discuss technical advances that

SUBMITTER: Quinn JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4342400 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature