Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
05:30
Surgical Approach and Complications of Stand-alone Lateral Trans-Psoas Interbody Fusion
Published on: February 14, 2025
1.7K
Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Skip-Level Cervical Disk Arthroplasty
Chao-Hung Kuo1,2,3,4, Ching-Ying Wang1,2,5, Yin-Sheng Chen1,2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Neurosurgery
|March 10, 2026
Summary
Cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA) is superior to anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) for skip-level procedures, offering better motion preservation and lower adjacent segment disease (ASD) rates. This approach avoids long-term fusion complications.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Skip-level anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) may increase adjacent segment disease (ASD) risk.
- The efficacy of cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA) versus ACDF for noncontiguous cervical disk issues is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinical and radiological outcomes of CDA versus ACDF in patients with noncontiguous subaxial cervical spine pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 70 patients undergoing skip-level anterior cervical diskectomies.
- Patients were divided into CDA and ACDF groups.
- Outcomes assessed included range of motion (ROM), cervical lordosis, and ASD incidence.
Main Results:
- CDA group had lower ASD incidence (18.2% vs. 40.5%) and higher ROM at 2 years.
- No reoperations in the CDA group, unlike one ACDF patient requiring surgery for ASD.
- Complication rates were similar between groups.
Conclusions:
- Skip-level CDA preserves motion and reduces ASD compared to ACDF.
- CDA is a superior option to avoid long-term fusion complications in noncontiguous disk herniations or spondylosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction
Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...
01:23Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...