ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:The application of anterior cervical plate for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion wil induce some complications such as dysphagia after treatment. OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy of the new implant Zero-P system for cervical spondylosis patients and its effect on reducing complications after treatment. METHODS:A total of 51 cervical spondylosis cases underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using Zero-P system. Neurological function was evaluated by neck/arm visual analogue scale, neck disability index and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores pretreatment, at 3 days, 3, 6 months, 1, 2 years post-treatment. The incidence of postoperative dysphagia was evaluated using dysphagia score. Anteroposterior&lateral and dynamics X-ray films were used to evaluate the efficacy of graft fusion and internal fixation-related complications. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The patients were fol owed up for 6-30 months, averagely 15.4 months. After treatment, their incision achieved stage I healing. Pain was relieved and muscle force was restored in al patients after treatment. Visual analogue scale and neck disability index scores were apparently improved. Improvement rate of Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was 85.7%. At 2 days after treatment, seven patients experienced mild and moderate dysphagia. During fol ow up, implant subsidence was not observed. No complications, such as screw loose, breakage or fixator displacement, were found. Results suggested that the new cervical stand-alone anterior fusion device in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedure for the treatment of cervical spondylosis has offered an excellent clinical outcome. Its design has the advantages of cervical interbody fusion and anterior cervical plate. There were less relevant complications.