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Is it necessary to use a cervical brace after single- or double-level ACDF?
Hong Kyung Shin1, Danbi Park, Sang Ryong Jeon
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Medicine
|July 5, 2024
Summary
This study found no significant difference in recovery outcomes for patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with or without a cervical brace. Post-surgery bracing is not essential for improving clinical results in ACDF patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Fusion Techniques
Background:
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common spinal procedure.
- The necessity of post-operative cervical bracing after ACDF remains debated among surgeons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinical and radiological outcomes in patients undergoing single- or double-level ACDF with versus without a cervical brace.
- To determine if post-operative cervical bracing impacts fusion rates, subsidence, or complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 83 patients undergoing single- or double-level ACDF.
- Two cohorts: one group wore a cervical brace post-surgery (March 2018-December 2019), the other did not (January 2020-May 2021).
- Outcomes assessed via X-ray, modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score, and visual analog scale (VAS) for neck/arm pain up to 12 months.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in mJOA or VAS scores between braced and unbraced groups at any time point.
- Both groups showed significant improvement in mJOA and VAS scores compared to pre-operative baselines.
- Fusion rates, subsidence, and complication rates were comparable between the two cohorts.
Conclusions:
- Post-operative cervical bracing does not appear to enhance clinical outcomes or radiological results after single- or double-level ACDF.
- The routine use of cervical braces following ACDF may not be necessary for optimal patient recovery.
