Results of Cervical Interbody Fusion Using the Anterior Plate System

ABSTRACT

In order to evaluate long-term effects of the anterior cervical plating system, we report the results of 59 patients who were treated with anterior decompression, autogenous iliac bone graft, and anterior cervical plate. Operations were performed on 59 patients for a variety of reasons; 40 for fracture and/or dislocation, 7 for degenerative spondylosis, 4 for ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, 5 for pyogenic or tuberculous spondylitis, and 3 for metastatic tumor. Our study consisted of 41 male and 18 female patents whose ages ranged from 14 to 76 years. Immediate fixation was obtained in 56 cases(95%). Satisfactory fusion was obtained in ll but five cases of which the result could not be judged due to death of the patients(3 cases of metastatic disease) and removal of the instrument(2 cases of fracture). Specific complications included 5 cases of screw loosening, 2 cases of screw fracture, 2 cases of dysphagia, and 1 case of esophageal fistula. The anterior plate system is thought to provide a valuable means of treating cervical instabilities.