Patient factors rather than surgical approach are associated with readmission and reoperation for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Background: The prevalence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is increasing annually and represents a large burden of disability. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), posterior cervical decompression (PCD), and PCD and fusion (PCDF) are commonly used surgical approaches to address this pathology. This single-institution retrospective cohort of ACDFs, PCDFs, and PCDs compares readmission rates and the incidence/indication for reoperation at 90-day, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up. Methods: testing for categorical variables. Results: A total of 366 patients undergoing 175 ACDFs, 86 PCDFs, and 105 PCDs were included. Initial analysis of complications by surgical approach showed that the rate of reoperation was significantly higher in the PCDF group at 30-day and 1-year (P