Stand-alone Cervical Cages Versus Anterior Cervical Plate in 2-Level Cervical Anterior Interbody Fusion Patients

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with cage alone (ACDF-CA) and with cage and plate construct (ACDF-CPC) with regard to clinical outcome and radiologic changes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The use of stand-alone cervical interbody cages in ACDF has become popular, but high subsidence rates have been reported in the literature. METHODS: A total of 54 consecutive patients who underwent 2-level ACDF-CA or ACDF-CPC after suffering from cervical radiculopathy were divided into 2 groups: group A (n = 28) underwent ACDF-CA, group B (n = 26) underwent ACDF-CPC. Fusion rate, global and segmental kyphosis, disk height, and subsidence rate were assessed by radiolographs. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Robinson's criteria. RESULTS: Solid fusion was achieved in 96.43% (27/28) in group A and in 96.15% (25/26) in group B. Fusion segmental kyphosis of >5 degrees occurred in 14.29% (4/28) of group A and in 7.69% (2/26) of group B; however, there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Subsidence occurred in 35.71% (10/28) of group A as compared with 11.54% (3/26) of group B (P<0.05). Clinical outcomes were similar in the 2 treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of cage and plate construct in 2-level ACDF results in a shorter fusion duration and a lower subsidence rate than that of cage alone; however, there is no significant difference in the postoperative global and segmental alignment and clinical outcomes between groups.