Optimizing Surgical Strategy for Cervical Spinal Deformity: Global Alignment and Surgical Targets

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Neurosurgery
• Spine Surgery

Background:

• Cervical spinal deformity (CSD) presents with abnormal curvature and alignment, causing pain, neurological deficits, and reduced quality of life.
• Surgical intervention is often required, but optimal strategies for CSD correction are still under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of surgical management for CSD.
• To focus on optimizing patient outcomes and enhancing understanding of CSD correction complexities.

Main Methods:

• This narrative review synthesizes current literature on CSD surgical management.
• Key areas explored include preoperative assessment, radiographic evaluation, and global spinal alignment considerations.

Main Results:

• Preoperative assessment, including radiographic evaluation and understanding global spinal alignment, is vital.
• Selection of appropriate fusion levels and identification of the primary deformity driver are critical for surgical planning.
• Optimal alignment targets and strategies are discussed to guide surgical decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Effective surgical management of CSD hinges on thorough preoperative evaluation and meticulous surgical planning.
• Addressing CSD complexities and applying current advancements can significantly improve patient outcomes and HRQoL.