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Anterior Cervical Corpectomy

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Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy and Radiculopathy

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Abstract

The anterior cervical corpectomy remains a fundamental technique for spine surgeons to access and treat anterior cervical spine pathology. While an individualized approach is necessary for each patient, a generalized outline of the procedure is provided in this chapter. Clinical indications and surgical alternatives are discussed. Appropriate preoperative workup is stressed, with emphasis on imaging modalities for aberrant anatomy and/or unexpected pathology. Possible complications are discussed in detail, alongside tips to avoid undesirable outcomes. Controversial topics are considered including the use of bone morphogenic protein and when to supplement with a posterior construct. Plating techniques and structural grafts of different materials are reviewed with their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, a case illustration is provided to help illustrate the role of anterior cervical corpectomies in the context of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Anthony C. Lau & Allan D. Levi

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  1. Anthony C. Lau
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  2. Allan D. Levi
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Correspondence to Allan D. Levi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Michael G. Kaiser

  2. Atlanta Brain and Spine Care, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Regis W. Haid

  3. Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA

    Christopher I. Shaffrey

  4. Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Michael G. Fehlings

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Lau, A.C., Levi, A.D. (2019). Anterior Cervical Corpectomy. In: Kaiser, M., Haid, R., Shaffrey, C., Fehlings, M. (eds) Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy and Radiculopathy . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97952-6_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97952-6_23

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-97951-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-97952-6

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