title: Two-level contiguous cervical disc disease treated with peek cages packed with demineralized bone matrix: results of 3-year follow-up.
abstract: Interbody cages are widely used instruments for cervical fusion operations. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to clarify if these devices are dependable. In this prospective study, 79 patients (42 women and 37 men) with a mean age of 51 years operated between January 2000 and December 2005 for treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease and spondylosis associated with radiculopathy or myelopathy were evaluated. Patients underwent two-level contiguous anterior cervical discectomy and fusion operations with standard anterior Smith-Robinson approach. To achieve fusion PEEK cages packed with demineralized bone matrix mixed with autologous blood were used. Clinical outcome was evaluated with Odom's criteria and results were evaluated as 'excellent', 'good', 'fair' and 'poor'. Spinal curves, mobility and fusion status were assessed with anterior-posterior and lateral (neutral, flexion and extension) radiographs obtained before surgery and at 3, 12, 24 and 36 months postoperatively. The Ishihara curvature index (ICI) was used for spinal curve evaluation. Lateral dynamic (flexion and extension) radiographs at postoperative 12th month revealed the fusion status classified as 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. The radiological outcomes were classified as 'non-fusion' when 2B healing was observed, and as 'fusion' when 1A, 1B or 2A healing was observed at the levels subjected to surgery. According to Odom's criteria, clinical outcomes were classified as 'excellent' or 'good' in 69 patients (success rate: 87.3%). Eight patients were graded as 'fair' and two as 'poor'. Preoperative mean ICI was 10.4+/-3.72 and postoperative mean ICI was 10.1+/-3.14. The difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05); therefore, preoperative lordosis was said to be preserved at final follow-up. Final fusion rate (Types 1A, 1B, and 2A) was 91.7% (145/158 levels). Radiological imaging showed no cage failure or dislodgement and reoperation due to non-fusion was not needed.
authors.affiliation: GATA Haydarpaşa Egitim Hastanesi, Norosirurji Servisi, 34668 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kivanç
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Topuz
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colak
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Simşek
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kutlay
authors.forename: Mehmet Nusret
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Demircan
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Velioğlu
mesh_terms: D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001857:Bone Matrix; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery*; D007659:Ketones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011108:Polymers; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007659:Ketones; D011108:Polymers; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols