Category | Variable | Points |
Causes and presentation | Disc diseaseCervical myelopathyCervical radiculopathy | 3 |
Indications | Unresponsive to conservative treatmentSingle-level or 2-level diseaseAge >18 y | 3 |
Contraindications | Axial neck pain as only ailmentSpondylosisDisc height <3 mmKyphotic deformity >15°Active infectionKnown malignancyInflammatory spondyloarthropathyAllergy to implant materialMetabolic bone disease | 9 |
Benefits | Maintenance of spinal motionRapid recoveryShorter hospital stayDecreased risk of ASD | 4 |
Complications | InfectionBleeding/hematomaDysphagiaDysphoniaEsophageal/tracheal injuryDural tearRecurrent laryngeal nerve injurySpinal nerve injurySpinal cord injuryASDImplant-related failuresHeterotopic ossification | 12 |
Treatment options | Conservative managementAnterior cervical discectomy and fusionPosterior laminoforaminotomyLaminoplastyLaminectomy with fusion | 5 |
Surgical technique | ApproachDiscectomyDecompressionInsertion of cervical disc replacement | 4 |
40 points total |
ASD, adjacent segmental disease.