Delayed Infection After Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Study design: Case report and literature review.

Objective: To report the relatively rare complication of delayed infection after cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA).

Background: Delayed infection of the M6 device has been a rarely reported complication, with all cases described outside of the United States. The reliability of positive intraoperative cultures remains an ongoing debate.

Methods: Cases were reviewed, and findings were summarized. A literature review was performed and discussed, with special consideration to current reports of delayed M6 infection, etiology, and utility of intraoperative cultures.

Results: We present a case of delayed infection 6 years after primary 1-level CDA with the M6 device. At revision surgery, gross purulence was encountered. Intraoperative cultures finalized with Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium acnes. The patient was revised with removal of the M6 and conversion to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. A prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics was followed by an oral course for suppression. At the final follow-up, the patient's preoperative symptoms had resolved.

Conclusion: Delayed infection after CDA is a rare complication, with ongoing debate regarding the reliability of positive cultures. We describe an infected M6 and demonstrate the utility of implant removal, conversion to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and long-term antibiotics as definitive treatment.

Level of evidence: Level V-case report and literature review.