Implantation of an empty carbon fiber composite frame cage after single-level anterior cervical discectomy in the treatment of cervical disc herniation: preliminary results

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Payer ◽  
Daniel May ◽  
Alain Reverdin ◽  
Enrico Tessitore

Object. The authors sought to evaluate retrospectively the radiological and clinical outcome of anterior cervical discectomy followed by implantation of an empty carbon fiber composite frame cage (CFCF) in the treatment of patients with cervical disc herniation and monoradiculopathy. Methods. Twenty-five consecutive patients (12 men, 13 women, mean age 45 years) with monoradiculopathy due to cervical disc herniation were treated by anterior cervical discectomy followed by implantation of an empty CFCF cage. On lateral flexion—extension radiographs segmental stability at a mean follow up of 14 months (range 5–31 months) was demonstrated in all 25 patients, and bone fusion was documented in 24 of 25 patients. The mean anterior intervertebral body height was 3.4 mm preoperatively and 3.8 mm at follow up in 20 patients. In these patients the mean segmental angle (angle between lower endplate of lower and upper vertebra) was 0.9° preoperatively and 3.1° at follow up. In the remaining five patients preoperative images were not retrievable. Self-scored neck pain based on a visual analog scale (1, minimum; 10, maximum) changed from a preoperative average of 5.6 to an average of 2 at follow up; radicular pain was reduced from 7.7 to 2.1 postoperatively. Analysis of the SF12 questionnaires showed a significant improvement in both the physical capacity score (preoperative mean 32.4 points; follow up 46 points) and the mental capacity score (preoperative mean 45.8 points; follow up 57.5 points). Conclusions. Implantation of an empty CFCF cage in the treatment of cervical disc herniation and monoradiculopathy avoids donor site morbidity associated with autologous bone grafting as well as the use of any supplementary material inside the cage. Restoration or maintenance of intervertebral height and thus segmental lordosis and a very high rate of segmental stability and fusion are achieved using this technique.

1972 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Murphy ◽  
Mokhtar Gado

✓ Twenty-six patients had anterior cervical discectomy without interbody bone graft for lateral cervical disc syndrome. Twenty-four (92%) had a good clinical result. Radiological follow-up was obtained in 20 cases. The incidence of fusion was 72% for discectomy at a single level. Patients undergoing discectomy at two adjacent levels were too few to permit a statement regarding the incidence of fusion. In those cases of incomplete fusion, dynamic films demonstrated stability at the operated site. Half of the cases who had posterior osteophytes preoperatively showed some degree of resorption after 12 months. Neither incomplete fusion nor failure of osteophyte resolution was incompatible with a good clinical result.


2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyi-Feng Chen ◽  
Chieh-Tsai Wu ◽  
Sai-Cheung Lee ◽  
Shih-Tseng Lee

Object. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement has been used as a spacer in the treatment of patients with cervical disc disease with good long-term outcomes, but solid bone fusion has not been demonstrated in all cases. To achieve cervical interbody fusion, the authors designed a modified PMMA cervical cage that they filled with spongy bone for the treatment of single-level cervical disc herniation. Methods. Sixty-three patients underwent anterior cervical microdiscectomy and implantation of a PMMA cervical cage filled with autograft cancellous bone and were followed for a minimum of 2 years. The fusion rates were 90.5 and 100% at the 6- and 12-month follow-up examinations, respectively. The mean intervertebral disc height gain was 3.4 ± 1.9 mm when preoperative and 24-month postoperative values were compared. Neck pain, measured using the Huskissan visual analog scale (0 mm, no pain; 100 mm, worst possible pain), decreased from 71 ± 13 mm at preoperative baseline to 28 ± 17 at 6, 23 ± 19 at 12, and 31 ± 19 mm at 24 months. Based on the same scale, radicular pain decreased from 83 ± 15 mm at preoperative baseline to 24 ± 11 at 6, 27 ± 13 at 12, and 22 ± 11 mm at 24 months. The self-rated clinical outcome was excellent in 45 (71.4%) and good in 18 (28.6%) of the 63 patients. Conclusions. The autograft cancellous bone—filled PMMA cage is safe and effective for cervical interbody fusion in the treatment of single-level cervical disc herniation and monoradiculopathy.


2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangwei Tan ◽  
Yanping Zheng ◽  
Liangtai Gong ◽  
Xinyu Liu ◽  
Jianmin Li ◽  
...  

Object The authors report the short-term results of anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion performed via an endoscopic approach. Methods Thirty-six patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) performed using endoscopic surgery were selected for this study. The indications for surgery were cervical disc herniation caused by neck injury, spondylotic myelopathy, cervical radiculopathy, and solitary ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). The involved levels included C3–4, C4–5, C5–6, and C6–7. The working channel was inserted through a 20-mm transverse incision, the protruding discs or area of OPLL were excised for complete decompression, and then an appropriate intervertebral polyetheretherketone fusion cage was implanted. Results The time spent in surgery was 120 minutes on average (range 50–150 minutes), and the mean blood loss was 55 ml (range 20–140 ml). There were no intraoperative complications and no symptoms of irritation in the laryngopharynx after surgery. However, postoperative hemorrhage of the incision occurred in 1 case. The follow-up period ranged from 26–50 months (mean 38.5 months). Postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association and visual analog scale scores improved significantly. Conclusions Endoscopic surgery for ACDF can produce satisfactory results in patients with cervical disc herniation, cervical myelopathy, or radiculopathy. The optimal levels for this procedure are C4–5 and C5–6. Compared with a traditional approach, this technique has great advantages in terms of cosmetic results, intraoperative visualization, and postoperative recovery course. Nevertheless, every precaution should be taken to avoid possible complications, such as postoperative hemorrhage.


1977 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald H. Wilson ◽  
Dwight D. Campbell

✓ Anterior cervical discectomy without bone grafting may become the procedure of choice for acute cervical disc protrusions. This operation was performed on 71 patients, all of whom were followed from 1 to 6 years. Complications were minor in nature. The results were excellent and sustained.


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