Outcome of anterior cervical discectomy with cage in cervical disc degeneration

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the efficiency and outcome of interbody polyetheretherketone [PEEK] cage implantation in 50 consecutive cases treated, for cervical disc degeneration. This work was conducted in Assiut University Hospital, Neurosurgery Department over 3 ears duration from 2006 to 2009. Fifty patients with cervical disc disease, were treated with cervical discectomy and Cervical interbody fusion using a PEEK cage. PEEK cages were packed with demineralised bone grafts or synthetic bone grafts. Additional plating was not used in any case. The median duration of follow-up was 12 Months [range, 6-36 months]. Cervical x-rays were routinely used in the follow-up to assess the fusion pseudoarthrosis, kyphosis, cage migration, subsidence or breakage. There were 39 male and 11 female patients and the mean age 45 years [range, 30-60 years]. No implant insufficiency or significant complications was observed in any case. The use of a cervical PEEK cage seems to be a good way that does not require additional anterior plating and bone graft harvesting/or achieving cervical interbody replacement. Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion is an effective treatment for radicular pain in selected patients with cervical disc disease after six months follow up. Because of similar clinical outcomes and lack of donor site morbidity when using PEEK, we now prefer fusion with PEEK cage to autologous iliac crest graft