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Acta Neurochirurgica

Published in:

01-04-2009 | Clinical Article

Long term outcome and adjacent disc degeneration after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with titanium cylindrical cages

Authors: Taku Sugawara, Yasunobu Itoh, Yoshitaka Hirano, Naoki Higashiyama, Kazuo Mizoi

Published in: Acta Neurochirurgica | Issue 4/2009

Abstract

Background

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is widely performed for the treatment of cervical spinal degenerative disease. Autogenic or allogenic bone grafts are used for interbody fusion with satisfactory long term outcomes. However, harvest of the autograft causes donor site complications and allograft is associated with low fusion rate. Threaded titanium cages (TC) have recently been introduced to cope with these disadvantages, but there is little evidence of long term results.

Methods

The long term outcome was studied after ACDF using TC. Clinical and imaging follow up was performed in 41 patients for at least 5 years (range 5–8.3 years). New computer-assisted measurement methods for radiographs are proposed.

Findings

ACDF with TC achieved 80% excellent or good outcome by Odom’s criteria, 95% fusion rate, and few minor complications. Asymptomatic adjacent disc degeneration was detected in 50% of the patients by our measurement methods. However, symptomatic adjacent disc degeneration occurred in 5% of the patients and only 2% required additional surgery.

Conclusions

These results are comparable or better than those after ACDF with autograft or allograft. ACDF with TC can achieve rigid fixation and provide good long term results.

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Title: Long term outcome and adjacent disc degeneration after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with titanium cylindrical cages
Authors: Taku Sugawara
Yasunobu Itoh
Yoshitaka Hirano
Naoki Higashiyama
Kazuo Mizoi
Publication date: 01-04-2009
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Acta Neurochirurgica / Issue 4/2009
Print ISSN: 0001-6268
Electronic ISSN: 0942-0940
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-009-0217-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Long term outcome and adjacent disc degeneration after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with titanium cylindrical cages

Abstract

Background

Methods

Findings

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Findings

Conclusions

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