Ultrasonic osteotome versus high-speed burr in cervical anterior vertebral subtotal resection: a retrospective study of 81 cases.

AIM This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of ultrasonic osteotome in cervical anterior vertebral subtotal resection. METHODS Retrospective clinical data were collated for 81 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who required cervical anterior vertebral subtotal resection. RESULTS Group A (n = 40) was treated with an ultrasonic osteotome and Group B (n = 41) with a high-speed burr. Vertebrectomy time, intraoperative blood loss, surgical complications, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and JOA score improvement were compared. Group A showed significantly shorter vertebrectomy time and significantly less intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.05). In Group A, dysphagia occurred in 1 patient, and superior laryngeal nerve injury in 1. Urinary tract infection occurred in 1 patient in Group B. JOA score in both groups significantly increased 3 days after surgery (P < 0.05), and at last follow-up compared with 3 days after surgery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Ultrasonic osteotome was a safe and effective tool for subtotal anterior cervical vertebral resection.