Outcome of anterior cervical decopression and fusion using the atlants anterior cervical plate system

The study was conducted on 45 patients suffering from degenerative disease of the cervical spine that was resistant to conservative treatment. Patients with either single-level or two-level cervical disc affection only were included. Radiculopathy was diagnosed in 41 patients and myelopathy in 10. The mean age was 43.2 years [range 34-66 years]. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group I [23 patients] had the Atlantis plate system to stabilize the grafted discs, while, group II [22 patients] had the same procedure without plating. It was concluded that, the Atlantis anterior cervical plate system provides the additional benefits of fixed, variable and hybrid constructs. In addition to being safe and easily implanted, its use appears to yield equal or better results than other established anterior plate systems, particularly with two-level fusion. Further studies and longer follow up should be carried out