C5 Motor Palsy After Single- and Multi-level Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion: A Retrospective Review.

Publication/Presentation Date

4-15-2019

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative C5 nerve root palsy is a known complication after cervical surgery. The effect of increasing number of levels fused on the prevalence of C5 palsy after anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) is unclear.

METHODS: Medical records of ACDF patients that included the C4-5 level at one institution were retrospectively reviewed. C5 palsy was defined as motor decline of the deltoid and/or biceps brachii muscle function by at least 1 level on standard manual muscle testing.

RESULTS: A total of 196 patients met the inclusion criteria, with no significant differences noted between groups undergoing single- or multi-level ACDF. The overall C5 palsy rate was 5.1%. Palsy rates were not statistically significant based on the number of levels fused. Six of the 10 patients with C5 palsy had complete recovery of motor strength, whereas 2 patients had at least some level of strength recovery.

CONCLUSION: The overall C5 palsy rate was 5.1% for all patients undergoing up to four-level ACDF. The rate of postoperative motor decline was lowest in the patients undergoing two-level ACDF and highest in the single-level group, but this finding did not reach statistical significance. The prognosis for strength recovery by final follow-up is excellent.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Case-control.

Volume

27

Issue

8

First Page

390

Last Page

390

ISSN

1940-5480

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

30216246

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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