Influence of subaxial cervical spine surgery on the sagittal alignment of the cervical and global spine. A prospective observational study

Introduction: Sagittal balance is essential for posture, horizontal gaze and avoiding overloading the posterior segment of the spine. Research question: Does single- or double-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) alter (1) cervical and global sagittal parameters and (2) outcomes in p...

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Main Authors: M. Bolcha, J. Lodin, D. Cihlář, M. Sameš, P. Vachata
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Brain and Spine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529425001924
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author M. Bolcha
J. Lodin
D. Cihlář
M. Sameš
P. Vachata
author_facet M. Bolcha
J. Lodin
D. Cihlář
M. Sameš
P. Vachata
author_sort M. Bolcha
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Sagittal balance is essential for posture, horizontal gaze and avoiding overloading the posterior segment of the spine. Research question: Does single- or double-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) alter (1) cervical and global sagittal parameters and (2) outcomes in patients with kyphotic versus non-kyphotic alignment? Material and methods: In a prospective cohort, 103 adults underwent 1–2-level ACDF. Standing radiographs were obtained pre-operatively and 24 months post-operatively. Analysed were six cervical parameters, thoracolumbar curves and spinopelvic angles. Pain was rated on a Visual analogue scale and disability with the Neck Disability Index. Results: Kyphotic spines (n = 43) converted to lordosis (median ΔC2–C7 Cobb = +6.4°, CI 95 % 3,84-10,9) with concomitant reductions in C2–C7 SVA and rise in T1 slope (all p < 0.05); thoracolumbar and pelvic parameters were unchanged. Non-kyphotic spines (n = 60) showed no significant radiographic shifts. Both groups clinically improved: Kyphotic group VAS neck −2, VAS Arm −4 (p = 0,00037), non-kyphotic group VAS neck −3, VAS arm −3 (p = 0,00001) and clinical gains were independent of lordotisation magnitude. In the kyphotic group, the significant importance of the T1S-CL parameter was found. No reoperations, adjacent-segment disease or serious complications occurred. Discussion and conclusion: Single-/double-level ACDF affect local sagittal paramethers, correct kyphosis and modulates the cervicothoracic junction, but does not influence distal spinal or pelvic alignment. Pain relief and functional improvement are comparable in kyphotic and non-kyphotic patients, irrespective of relordotization magnitude. Patients may not require aggressive lordosis correction, based on their individual sagittal profiles. Nonetheless, these results and conclusions are limited to single-/double-level ACDFs.
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spelling doaj-art-e368791ac45c43649b2e5f6f79765ac32025-08-20T03:59:22ZengElsevierBrain and Spine2772-52942025-01-01510437310.1016/j.bas.2025.104373Influence of subaxial cervical spine surgery on the sagittal alignment of the cervical and global spine. A prospective observational studyM. Bolcha0J. Lodin1D. Cihlář2M. Sameš3P. Vachata4Department of Neurosurgery, J. E. Purkyně University, Masaryk Hospital, Krajská Zdravotní a.s., Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic; Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň, Czech Republic; Corresponding author. Sociální péče 3316/12A, Ústí nad Labem, 40011, Czech Republic.Department of Neurosurgery, J. E. Purkyně University, Masaryk Hospital, Krajská Zdravotní a.s., Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic; Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň, Czech RepublicJ. E. Purkyně University, Ústí nad Labem, Czech RepublicDepartment of Neurosurgery, J. E. Purkyně University, Masaryk Hospital, Krajská Zdravotní a.s., Ústí nad Labem, Czech RepublicDepartment of Neurosurgery, J. E. Purkyně University, Masaryk Hospital, Krajská Zdravotní a.s., Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic; Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň, Czech RepublicIntroduction: Sagittal balance is essential for posture, horizontal gaze and avoiding overloading the posterior segment of the spine. Research question: Does single- or double-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) alter (1) cervical and global sagittal parameters and (2) outcomes in patients with kyphotic versus non-kyphotic alignment? Material and methods: In a prospective cohort, 103 adults underwent 1–2-level ACDF. Standing radiographs were obtained pre-operatively and 24 months post-operatively. Analysed were six cervical parameters, thoracolumbar curves and spinopelvic angles. Pain was rated on a Visual analogue scale and disability with the Neck Disability Index. Results: Kyphotic spines (n = 43) converted to lordosis (median ΔC2–C7 Cobb = +6.4°, CI 95 % 3,84-10,9) with concomitant reductions in C2–C7 SVA and rise in T1 slope (all p < 0.05); thoracolumbar and pelvic parameters were unchanged. Non-kyphotic spines (n = 60) showed no significant radiographic shifts. Both groups clinically improved: Kyphotic group VAS neck −2, VAS Arm −4 (p = 0,00037), non-kyphotic group VAS neck −3, VAS arm −3 (p = 0,00001) and clinical gains were independent of lordotisation magnitude. In the kyphotic group, the significant importance of the T1S-CL parameter was found. No reoperations, adjacent-segment disease or serious complications occurred. Discussion and conclusion: Single-/double-level ACDF affect local sagittal paramethers, correct kyphosis and modulates the cervicothoracic junction, but does not influence distal spinal or pelvic alignment. Pain relief and functional improvement are comparable in kyphotic and non-kyphotic patients, irrespective of relordotization magnitude. Patients may not require aggressive lordosis correction, based on their individual sagittal profiles. Nonetheless, these results and conclusions are limited to single-/double-level ACDFs.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529425001924Anterior cervical discectomy and fusionCervical spine sagittal alignmentGlobal spine sagittal alignmentNeck disability indexCervical kyphosisCervicothoracic junction
spellingShingle M. Bolcha
J. Lodin
D. Cihlář
M. Sameš
P. Vachata
Influence of subaxial cervical spine surgery on the sagittal alignment of the cervical and global spine. A prospective observational study
Brain and Spine
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Cervical spine sagittal alignment
Global spine sagittal alignment
Neck disability index
Cervical kyphosis
Cervicothoracic junction
title Influence of subaxial cervical spine surgery on the sagittal alignment of the cervical and global spine. A prospective observational study
title_full Influence of subaxial cervical spine surgery on the sagittal alignment of the cervical and global spine. A prospective observational study
title_fullStr Influence of subaxial cervical spine surgery on the sagittal alignment of the cervical and global spine. A prospective observational study
title_full_unstemmed Influence of subaxial cervical spine surgery on the sagittal alignment of the cervical and global spine. A prospective observational study
title_short Influence of subaxial cervical spine surgery on the sagittal alignment of the cervical and global spine. A prospective observational study
title_sort influence of subaxial cervical spine surgery on the sagittal alignment of the cervical and global spine a prospective observational study
topic Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Cervical spine sagittal alignment
Global spine sagittal alignment
Neck disability index
Cervical kyphosis
Cervicothoracic junction
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529425001924
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