{"id":"7f36d9cd-f2b6-40d0-8b45-d220999b6f06","slug":"c5-nerve-root-palsies-following-cervical-spine-surgery-a-review","title":"C5 Nerve root palsies following cervical spine surgery: A review","authors":["Nancy E. Epstein","Renee Hollingsworth"],"abstract":"Background: Cervical C5 nerve root palsies may occur in between 0% and 30% of routine anterior or posterior cervical spine operations. They are largely attributed to traction injuries/increased cord migration following anterior/posterior decompressions. Of interest, almost all studies cite spontaneous resolution of these deficits without surgery with 3–24 postoperative months. Methods: Different studies cite various frequencies for C5 root palsies following anterior or posterior cervical spine surgery. In their combined anterior/posterior series involving C4-C5 level decompressions, Libelski et al. cited up to a 12% incidence of C5 palsies. In Gu et al. series, C5 root palsies occurred in 3.1% of double-door laminoplasty, 4.5% of open-door laminoplasty, and 11.3% of laminectomy. Miller et al. observed an intermediate 6.9% frequency of C5 palsies followed by posterior cervical decompressions and fusions (PCDF). Results: Gu et al. also identified multiple risk factors for developing C5 palsies following posterior surgery; male gender, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), narrower foramina, laminectomy, and marked dorsal spinal cord drift. Miller et al. also identified an average $1918 increased cost for physical/occupational therapy for patients with C5 palsies. Conclusions: The incidence of C5 root deficits for anterior/posterior cervical surgery at C4-C5 was 12% in one series, and ranged up to 11.3% for laminectomies, while others cited 0–30%. Although identification of preoperative risk factors for C5 root deficits may help educate patients regarding these risks, there is no clear method for their avoidance at this time.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/7f36d9cd-f2b6-40d0-8b45-d220999b6f06/featured/hero-1782420897503.png","publishDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.156556","categories":["Spine","Review Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/7f36d9cd-f2b6-40d0-8b45-d220999b6f06/pdf"}