Anterior cervical dynamic ABC plating with single level corpectomy and fusion in forty-two patients.
METHODS
Forty-two consecutive patients undergoing dynamic ABC plated one-level ACF utilizing iliac crest autograft (38 patients) and fibula allografts (four patients) were evaluated. The unique ABC slotted plate design allows for up to 10 mm of cephalad and 10 mm of caudad plate migration.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence and etiology of complications in forty-two patients undergoing anterior cervical dynamic ABC plating (Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany), during one level anterior corpectomy with fusion (ACF).


METHODS
New York, USA.


METHODS
Serial dynamic X-ray and 2 Dimensional CAT Scan (2D-CT) studies, obtained 3, 6, and up to 12 months postoperatively, in 42 patients documented the presence of fusion or complications including plate or graft extrusion or pseudarthrosis.


RESULTS
Four (9.5%) of 42 patients developed postoperative plate or graft-related complications during the average follow up interval of 34 months. One patient, with a plate/graft extrusion, required a second two level ACF with posterior wiring and fusion (PWF). Two patients with pseudarthroses and one patient with a delayed iliac crest strut fracture required secondary PWF.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective arthrodesis and a low incidence of complications following one level ACF performed utilizing dynamic ABC plates were attributed to reduced stress shielding and greater graft compression afforded by the unique plate design. Applying dynamic ABC plates for one level ACF was biomechanically advantageous with low morbidity.
Epstein
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NE
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods