Cement Augmentation of the Cervical Spine - a Technique Enhancing Stability of Anterior Cervical Plating

Abstract

One option is to perform anterior and posterior surgery to increase the stability of the surgery performed (12,16,27). However, this will involve putting patients through a second operation, which may be poorly tolerated (prone position, lengthy spine exposure with risks of infection, blood loss and an often prolonged operating time), in a frequently frail, or generally unwell, population.

Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients with Cervical Spinal Injury with Anterior Single-Stage Fixation with Bone Cement Augmentation

“…The technique, including ventral cervical plate and cement augmentation, is designed to restore structural integrity. This method aligns with findings from prior studies that have demonstrated positive outcomes, with similar procedures aimed at stabilizing the anterior cervical column [ 10 , 11 , 17 , 18 ]. For instance, Waschke et al treated nine patients with a standard one-level or two-level cervical corpectomy using an expandable titanium cage followed by anterior plating and vertebroplasty [ 18 ].…”

“…Bayley et al’s treatment of seven patients with ventral vertebral augmentation introduced 0.2–0.25 mL of Kyphon cement into the screw holes prior to securing the anterior plate, also resulting in a complication-free seven-month follow-up period [ 10 ].…”

“…The use of plate stabilization combined with cement augmentation has shown promise for restoring stability to the anterior column of the cervical spine. E. Bayley et al [ 10 ] and Oppenlander et al have presented cases demonstrating the efficacy of these methods, particularly in osteoporotic patients and those with poor bone quality [ 11 ]. In vitro studies further support that cement augmentation notably enhances screw stability during ventral fixation [ 12 ].…”