A corpectomy is a surgical procedure that removes damaged vertebrae and intervertebral discs that are compressing spinal nerves or your spinal cord. Anterior means that the procedure is performed from the front of the body, and cervical tells us that we’re operating on the topmost portion of your spine. Putting it all together, this means that the surgeon is removing damaged vertebrae and spinal discs from the cervical portion of your spine through an opening created on the front portion of your neck. We take a closer look at the procedure in today’s blog.
Why Would I Need An Anterior Cervical Corpectomy?
A corpectomy is similar in nature to a discectomy, but it tends to be reserved for more significant injuries or conditions because of the areas that it addresses. A discectomy only involves removing a portion of a spinal disc or offending bone spurs in the area, while a corpectomy can involve the removal of discs, spurs and vertebrae. Whether or not your surgeon recommends a discectomy or corpectomy will depend on your specific situation, but if the vertebrae needs to be removed, then a corpectomy is typically recommended. The most common situations that would result in the need for a corpectomy are:
- The spinal cord is compressed due to degenerative changes or acute injury.
- A progressive condition is causing numbness or weakness in your extremities.
- Spinal nerve compression is contributing to balance, coordination or bladder problems, and these issues are not responding to conservative care.
How Is An Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Performed?
Before any incisions are made, the patient is placed under general anesthesia and is not awake for the procedure. Once the patient is sedated, the surgeon makes a small incision on the front of the neck. They then carefully move muscle and other soft tissues out of the way in order to access the bones of the spinal column. Then the surgeon carefully extracts the damaged vertebra and both discs above and below the vertebrae. This helps to decompress the spinal cord and spinal nerves, but now something needs to be done to account for the removal of the vertebrae and spinal discs.
In most instances, this is addressed through a spinal fusion. Because a vertebra is missing, the surgeon will insert a strut graft or a cage into the space. This implant acts as an artificial vertebrae and provides strength and stability to the spinal column. Over time, the strut graft fuses with bone in the area, limiting movement but greatly stabilizing the spinal column at that location. If a cage is inserted, small bone grafts are also usually inserted to help fuse the cage to the adjacent vertebrae. Oftentimes these bone grafts can actually be created from a healthy portion of the vertebral section that was removed during the corpectomy! After the surgeon is satisfied with the implant location, the incision site is closed and the patient is moved to a recovery room.
Your recovery will be based on your specific situation, but most surgeons recommend that their patients wear a cervical collar for a few weeks to help protect the area and allow for ideal bone fusion. You’ll likely return to the clinic for follow up X-rays around the 4-6 week mark to ensure the fusion is healing as expected. Most patients can return to work and normal physical activities around 6-8 weeks, although total healing and fusion can take a number of months. Your doctor will continue to monitor your progress and recommend other healing aids like physical therapy or exercise as they see fit.
For more information about a corpectomy, or to talk to a specialist about a different neck issue, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and his team today at (651) 430-3800.
