Stem Cell Research in Neck Surgery
by Scott K. Stanley, M.D.
One of the most exciting, recent advances in neck surgery is the use of stem cells to encourage the bones to fuse together after a damaged disc is removed.
In the past, surgeons would collect bone graft material from the patient’s own hip bone, and use this to fill the space between the neck bones. This left the patient with two surgery sites and the quality of the graft was dependent on the quality of the patient’s own bones. With new technology, stem cells may now be used without the pain and potential complication of a second surgical site. Bone tissue is now harvested from donor cadavers. The tissue is then processed to provide the appropriate structural, chemical and cellular properties in order to achieve the strongest bone fusion in the minimal amount of time. Although a successful bone fusion does not necessarily mean that pain will be completely eliminated, there is a correlation between solid bone fusion and positive postoperative outcomes, especially prevention of future deformity. As principal investigator, in conjunction with Summit Research and Orthofix Inc., I am looking at clinical outcomes and rates of fusion in patients receiving one of these new stem cell products.
Neck pain affects millions of people every year. For some patients, the pain is accompanied by weakness, numbness and/or tingling to the arms and legs. These symptoms arise when there is pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves that run between the neck bones. The pressure may be caused by internal structures of the neck (e.g. bones, ligaments, tendons and disks) being improperly positioned due to trauma or degenerative changes over time. Most people achieve pain relief using non-surgical methods; however, there are some who will require surgery to relieve pressure on the nerves in the neck.
One surgical method is called an Anterior Cervical Diskcectomy and Fusion (ACDF).
- Anterior – the incision is made through the front (anterior) of the neck. Because of the shape of the neck bones, this approach allows for the best view of the structures inside of the neck
- Cervical – another name for the bones in the neck
- Diskcectomy – removal of the disks (spongy sacs which provide cushioning between the bones of the neck) which have been moved out of place from trauma or have lost their sponginess over time
- Fusion – the process of getting the affected neck bones to grow together to form one solid structure which will keep pressure off of the spinal cord and nerves in the neck
In order to keep the neck bones apart, an artificial spacer is placed in the area where the disk has been removed and filler is injected into the space. Tiny plates are then screwed onto the front of the neck bones to further stabilize the affected areas. The incision is closed and the healing process begins.
When non-surgical treatments have failed to alleviate the pain and disability that accompany neck pain, surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerves may be one option. And use of stem cell products to improve clinical outcomes and fusion rates is an exciting new possibility.
Do you have questions about Stem Cell Research in Neck Surgery? Contact Denver-Vail Orthopedics at 303-214-4500.