Anterior Cervical Interbody Fusion Using a Plate Cage System in Degenerative Cervical Disease

OBJECTIVE: The plate cage system is an intradiscal cage combining with an integrated plate. To evaluate its suitability for an clinical application, the authors present a retrospective analysis of outcome assessment of our series. METHODS: From March 1998 to November 2001, fifty three patients with degenerative cervical disease underwent anterior cervical interbody fusion with the PCB(R)(PCB(R) instrument, SCIENT'X, Paris, France). Single level fusion was accomplished in 31 patients, two levels in 19 patients, and three levels in two patients. RESULTS: All patients were improved without intraoperative complications ; excellent in 28(52.9%), good in 15(28.3%), and satisfactory in 10(18.8%). Four cases of screw loosening were identified, however, there was no cage backout, worsening of symptom or reoperation due to screw loosening. The bony fusion was confirmed in all patients by cervical flexion and extension X-ray and computed tomography during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The design of this plate cage system appears to prevent bone-graft recipient site and donor site complications, provides immediate stability, and restores height and lordosis.

The Efficacy of Anterior Cervical Plating Systems in the Management of Degenerative Cervical Spondylosis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of anterior cervical plating systems, such as ORION? plate(locked plate), PCB plate-cage, TOP plate(unlocked plate). METHODS: This study was performed in 97 degenerative cervical spondylotic patients who adimitted to the hospital from January 1996 to March 1999. The average follow-up period was 13 months. RESULTS: One-level anterior plating appeared to have better surgical results(p<0.05) and a lower complication rate(p<0.001) than multi-level plating. And a group of patients with radiculopathy appeared to have better surgical results than that of patients with myelopathy(p<0.001). Unlocked TOP? plate system appeared to have higher metallic failure rate(p<0.001) and worse results(p<0.05) than the other plating systems. The outcome based on Odom's criterion was excellent or good in 95.8% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The one-level anterior plating of cervical anterior fusion in degenerative cervical spondylotic patients appears to have better result and no complication than multi-level plating. Also, locked plating system appears to have better result and no metallic failure than unlocked plating system.