Box cages packed with local decompression bone were efficient in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: five- to 10-year follow-up.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the radiographical bony union and clinical outcomes of 207 patients who underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with only local decompression bone for the treatment of cervical disc degeneration.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Many sources of bone graft have been used for ACDF. Autologous iliac bone is most likely suitable for biologic bone fusion ability, but there may be many problems such as high donor site morbidity. Allograft and artificial bones are less effective for bone fusion. Use of local decompression bone could be a good solution.

METHODS

A total of 207 patients (range, 35-80 yr) underwent ACDF, using carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone cage lled with local decompression bone with anterior cervical plating to treat symptomatic cervical disorders. Computed tomographic scan of the cervical spine was used to assess fusion rates, and Odom's criteria were used to evaluate the clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Almost all patients had symptomatic improvement, and 97% of patients (201 of 207) exhibited excellent/good clinical outcomes. All interbody disc spacers with local decompression bone achieved successful fusion, confirmed by radiographs and computed tomographic scans, and no cage subsidence occurred at all levels.

CONCLUSION

As applied in anterior cervical fusion, the local decompression bone embedded into carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone cages is enough and can achieve successful fusion, poignant clinical outcomes while achieving no donor site morbidity.