Impact of titanium mesh cage slotting width on anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion for compression cervical spondylosis with MRI T2WI hyperintensity: a one-year follow-up study

This study investigates how the width of the slots in titanium mesh cages (TMC) used in spinal fusion surgery affects patient outcomes. The goal was to determine if narrower or wider slots in the TMC lead to better decompression of the spinal cord and improved neurological recovery in patients with cervical spondylosis. The study retrospectively analyzed data from 69 patients who underwent anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). These patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received TMCs with narrower (<2mm) or wider (>2mm) slots. Clinical and radiological outcomes were then compared between the two groups. The findings suggest that a wider TMC slotting width provides superior decompression of the spinal cord and may improve postoperative spinal cord signal without compromising spinal stability or fusion outcomes. This indicates that surgeons should carefully consider the slotting width when performing ACCF to optimize decompression and spinal cord recovery.

• 1
  Patients in both groups showed significant postoperative improvement in NDI and JOA scores, indicating that ACCF is effective regardless of the slotting width.
• 2
  Patients in the wider slotting group exhibited better decompression, indicated by a larger TDR and smaller postoperative SCA, showing more effective spinal cord decompression.
• 3
  There was no significant difference in CL, FSU height, TMC alignment, subsidence, or fusion rates between the two groups, suggesting that slotting width does not affect spinal stability or fusion.