Crossing the Cervicothoracic Junction: A Biomechanical Investigation of C7 Versus T1 Caudal Selection's Effect on Adjacent Segment Motion in Posterior Cervical Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN

A biomechanical study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the biomechanical adjacent segment effects of multilevel posterior cervical fusion constructs that terminate at C7 compared with those that terminate at T1 in cadaveric specimens.

BACKGROUND

The cervicothoracic junction poses unique challenges for spine surgeons. Deciding to terminate multilevel posterior cervical fusion constructs at C7 or extend them across the cervicothoracic junction remains a controversial issue.

METHODS

Six cadaveric specimens underwent biomechanical testing in the intact state and after instrumentation with constructs from C3 and terminating at either C7 or T1. Range of motion (ROM) was assessed in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation globally and at cranial and caudal adjacent segments.

RESULTS

There was a significant decrease in overall flexion/extension by both C7 (-35.5°, P =0.002) and T1 (-39.8°, P =0.002) instrumentation compared with the intact spine. T1 instrumentation had significantly lower (-4.3°, P =0.008) flexion/extension ROM compared with C7 instrumentation. There were significant decreases in axial rotation by both C7 (-31.4°, P =0.009) and T1 (-36.8°, P =0.009) instrumentation compared with the intact spine, but no significant differences were observed between the 2. There were also significant decreases in lateral bending by both C7 (-27.9°, P =0.022) and T1 (-33.7°, P =0.022) instrumentation compared with the intact spine, but no significant differences were observed between the 2. No significant differences were observed in ROM at cranial or caudal adjacent segments between constructs terminating at C7 and those extending to T1.

CONCLUSION

This biomechanical investigation demonstrates that constructs that cross the cervicothoracic junction experience less overall spinal motion in flexion-extension compared with those that terminate at C7. However, contrary to prior studies, there is no difference in cranial and caudal adjacent segment motion. Surgeons should make clinical decisions regarding the caudal extent of fusion in multilevel posterior cervical fusions without major concerns about adjacent segment motion.