gms | German Medical Science

58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V. (DGNC)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC) e. V.

26. bis 29.04.2007, Leipzig

Radiographic analysis of fusion progression following one-level cervical fusion with or without plate fixation

Analyse der Fusionsprogression nach monosegmentaler Fusion mit und ohne Plattenosteosynthese

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author A. Nabhan - Neurochirurgische Klinik, Universitätskliniken des Saarlandes, Homburg, Deutschland
  • D. Pape - Neurochirurgische Klinik, Universitätskliniken des Saarlandes, Homburg, Deutschland
  • T. Pitzen - Neurochirurgische Klinik, Universitätskliniken des Saarlandes, Homburg, Deutschland
  • W. I. Steudel - Neurochirurgische Klinik, Universitätskliniken des Saarlandes, Homburg, Deutschland
  • F. Ahlhelm - Neurochirurgische Klinik, Universitätskliniken des Saarlandes, Homburg, Deutschland

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC). Leipzig, 26.-29.04.2007. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2007. DocP 111

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgnc2007/07dgnc366.shtml

Published: April 11, 2007

© 2007 Nabhan et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.


Outline

Text

Objective: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using bone graft or cage with plate fixation is an accepted technique for treatment of symptomatic degenerative disc disease. It is, however debatable, if a plate is really necessary to increase the progress of fusion. Thus, the aim of this randomized and controlled prospective study was to evaluate, whether ACDF with cage and anterior plate fixation provide higher fusion progress when compared with ACDF using stand-alone cage.

Methods: 37 candidates for ACDF were treated either with stand-alone cage (study group) or with cage + plate fixation (control group). 19 patients were randomized to be stabilized with stand-alone cage whereas 18 patients were treated with cage and additionally anterior plate fixation. Progress of cervical fusion was compared using Radiostereometric Analysis (RSA) over time. Follow-up examinations pre- and postoperatively were done using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) with regard to neck and arm pain. Radiographic assessment of fusion using RSA-control was done after one, six and twelve weeks, as well as after six months, and one and two years postoperatively. The Mann-Whitney-test for unpaired values was used to determine a statistical difference of residual intervertebral motion.

Results: Three dimensional analysis of segmental motion (left-right, cranio-caudal, and posterior-anterior) did not reveal any statistical difference between the two groups at any examination time postoperatively (p>0.05). The VAS score did not differ between the two groups (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Anterior plate fixation did not demonstrate an improvement in the progression of fusion in one-level ACDF.