Anterior cervical decompression and fusion for cervical spondylosis using vertebral grafts obtained from the fusion site. Technical advantages and follow-up results.

A retrospective analysis was done in 60 consecutive patients who underwent anterior cervical fusion using vertebral grafts obtained from the fusion site at the Nagoya University and its affiliated hospitals by a single surgeon (MT). Follow-up results and technical advantages are reported. The average follow-up period was 33 months (range 6 to 55 months). Sufficient decompression of the anterior cervical pathology was performed successfully via a wider operative field. The symptoms and neurological score improved significantly without any new deficits in all patients except in one with a three-level fusion who needed re-operation for further decompression. No major graft complications such as graft extrusion or pseudoarthrosis occurred. Graft fracture was noted in five cases. However, good bony fusion was observed in all these cases without any further treatment. Normal cervical lordosis was preserved in most cases except in four, who lost lordotic alignment but did not show kyphosis. Major advantages of this method are a wider operative field, excellent graft fusion rate, and no need for an additional incision to obtain autogenous bone graft. These benefits seem have to contributed to satisfactory surgical results in this series.