Use of the Solis cage and local autologous bone graft for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: early technical experience.
OBJECTIVE
The authors prospectively evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) involving placement of a Solis cage and local autograft in patients who presented with symptomatic cervical spondylosis.


METHODS
Twenty-two consecutive patients underwent ACDF for radiculopathy (13 cases), myeloradiculopathy (eight cases), or myelopathy alone (one case) and were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months. Plain cervical spine radiography demonstrated a significant change in both local (p < 0.05) and regional (p < 0.05) kyphotic angles as well as an increase in segmental height (p < 0.05). At 12 months, plain radiography demonstrated Grades I, II, and III new bone formation in two, three, and 17 patients, respectively. Clinical outcomes were assessed using a visual analog scale for both neck and arm pain and a modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale for myelopathy. There was a significant improvement in both arm (p < 0.05) and neck pain (p < 0.05). At 12 months, 16 (84%) of 19 and 19 (86%) of 22 patients reported complete resolution of arm pain and neck pain, respectively. There was a significant improvement in JOA scores following surgery (p < 0.05). There were two complications in the series: one case of deep venous thrombosis and one case of postoperative arm pain that resolved after conservative treatment. There were no technical complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Early experience with Solis cage-augmented ACDF indicates good clinical and radiological outcomes; additionally, there are the advantages of absent donor site morbidity and anterior plate system-related morbidity.
Shad
Amjad
A
Department of Neurological Surgery, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Leach
John C D
JC
Teddy
Peter J
PJ
Cadoux-Hudson
Tom A D
TA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome