Abstract
Background Self-locking stand-alone cages have increasingly been used in anterior cervical discectomy
and fusion (ACDF) cervical degenerative disc disease. We studied clinical and radiological
outcomes of patients who underwent zero-profile anchored spacer (ROI-C)–assisted ACDF
without anterior plate fixation in cervical adjacent segment disease.
Materials and Methods Fifteen patients suffering from cervical adjacent segment disease with various symptoms,
such as radiculopathy, myelopathy, or both, were retrospectively evaluated. The cervical
adjacent segment disease was confirmed by plain radiographs and magnetic resonance
imaging. The patients underwent radiological evaluation to assess cervical curvature,
intervertebral height, fusion, and subsidence. Clinical assessment was graded using
a visual analog scale, Modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score, and the Neck
Disability Index.
Results There were 19 levels of operation. Single-level ACDF was performed in 11 patients
and two level in 4 patients. In the postoperative period, our study revealed significant
improvement in the clinical outcome. The cervical curvature and intervertebral height
were significantly improved at 12-months follow-up (p < 0.05). The fusion rate was 100%, whereas subsidence occurred in 5.3% but produced
no symptoms. Of the 19 operated segment, 2 (5.3%) from 38 VerteBRIDGE plates had breakage.
There was only one case of mild dysphagia, which resolved in less than 2 weeks.
Conclusion This study indicates that zero-profile anchored spacer (ROI-C) in the treatment of
cervical adjacent segment disease provides improvement of clinical outcomes, restoration
of lordosis, high fusion rate, and low incidence of dysphagia. However, subsidence
and breakage of VerteBRIDGE plate occurred in 5.3% cases, but did not cause clinical
symptoms.
Keywords
cervical PEEK cage - cervical interbody cage - zero-profile anchored spacer - ROI-C
- adjacent segment disease - self-locking stand-alone cage
