Cervical disc replacement with polyetheretherketone cages: clinical experience with 151 cases.

BACKGROUND

There is active debate amongst surgeons regarding best available method for cervical inter-body fusion. This study evaluates success of disc replacement with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage in patients operated for cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy.

METHODS

This case series was conducted between 2008 and 2012 during which 151 patients were treated with cervical inter-body fusion with PEEK cages. PEEK cages were packed with cancellous bone taken from iliac crest. The duration of follow up was 1 year. Subsidence, fusion, cage migration, and/or breakage were assessed using serial cervical X-Rays.

RESULTS

Mean age was 42.6 years with standard deviation of 9.37. No implant insufficiency was observed in any case while fusion rate was 100%.

CONCLUSION

Many techniques and materials are available for use in vertebral inter-body fusion. The use of PEEK cage seems to be a good alternative in that it has minimal complications and gives excellent results in skilled hands and gives results comparable to other options.