Multi-level anterior cervical decompression in multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy without extending the corpus resection: a cadaveric study of a novel surgical technique

Abstract

Aim: to perform three-level decompression with a single-level corpectomy by modifying the fusion with anterior cervical corpectomy (ACC-F) method on a cadaver. Material and methods: the anterior cervical region of four whole-head cadavers was dissected. The corpectomy was performed under a surgical microscope with a MT4-20+ ultrasonic bone dissector (UBD) tip. Superior and inferior decompression were conducted and viewed with a 70 degrees neuroendoscope using two types (vertically and horizontally oriented) of specially designed 23 mm-long, 90 degrees-angled UBD tips. Results: after neck dissection and the removal of the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, C5 corpectomy and adjacent-level discectomies were performed. Following discectomy and corpectomy, superior and inferior decompression were conducted with specially designed UBD tips and viewed with a 70 degrees neuroendoscope. A three-level anterior cervical decompression was provided with a single-level corpectomy. Conclusion: this study demonstrated that two more level decompression is possible with a single-level corpectomy in the cervical region using the new technique.