Anterior cervical corpectomy

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion serves as a powerful surgical technique in the treatment of complex cervical spine pathology including multilevel cervical myelopathy, cervical trauma, cervical infection, and neoplastic disease. Determining the optimal approach for treatment involves assessing the need for spinal cord decompression and restoration of structural stability. A number of factors or measurements have been described to assist in determining the best treatment approach for a given pathology. Similar anterior cervical techniques may be utilized whether performing a single or multilevel corpectomy although supplemental posterior instrumentation and fusion should be considered for multilevel corpectomy cases due to increased failure rates with anterior cervical plating alone. Attention to detail and an appropriate degree of vigilance can help surgeons minimize risk, recognize potential complications, and deliver optimal patient care in these often complex and challenging patients.