Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion using titanium cage: report of early results

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the early results of treatment of cervical disc diseases by anterior interbody fusion using titanium cage and allograft. The study included 22 patients with cervical disc disease. Some of them had more than one level operated, so, 26 disc level have been operated on. These patients had an anterior interbody fusion through an extrapharyngeal anterolateral approach. The fusion was augmented by titanium cage and milled allograft. The period of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2 years. Patients were assessed using Odom's criteria. Post-operative assessment revealed excellent outcome in 2 patients [9.1%], good in 11 [50%], satisfactory in 8 [36.4%] and one patient with poor outcome. Post-operative complication included, one patient with superficial wound infection, change of voice in another patient, completely reversible dysphagia in two patients. Pseudoarthrosis occurs in one patient only, while one patient developed post-operative quadriplegia. It has been concluded that anterior decompression and interbody fusion is a promising option for cervical disc diseases, whether herniated disc or degenerative spondylosis. The chances for a sound fusion are better with the use of titanium cage and the post-operative morbidity is remarkably less with the use of allograft