title: Alternative grafts in anterior cervical fusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present retrospective study was conducted to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) cages, or allograft.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed cases of ACDF using allograft in 20 patients, and CFRP in 19 who had sequential radiographs before and after surgery, and at 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no apparent significant differences between the 2 groups in age (p=0.057), gender (p=0.635), or complications (p=0.648). At 12 months, there were no cases of construct failure, and fusion appeared to have been achieved in patients of both groups. Lordosis was increased significantly in both groups after surgery (p<0.001 in allograft and p=0.025 in CFRP), and was maintained up until 1 year (p<0.018 in allograft and p=0.05 in CFRP) without a difference between groups (p=0.721). Anterior interbody height was significantly increased (p<0.001 in both groups at each time points) after surgery, without a significant difference between groups (p>0.21). This increase in height was greatest in magnitude immediately after surgery, and declined with the passage of time. There was no detectable health-related quality of life difference between allograft and CFRP group after surgery (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrates that CFRP cages appear to have comparable fusion rates, restoration of lordosis and disc space height, and complication rates to patients who undergo ACDF with allograft.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, USA.
authors.forename: Fangxiang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wenzhuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mahaney
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Noeller
authors.forename: Nakhle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mhanna
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viljoen
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torner
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hitchon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D002244:Carbon; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D017586:Diskectomy; D017886:Durapatite; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008141:Lordosis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002244:Carbon; D017886:Durapatite
keywords: Carbon fiber; Cervical fusion; PEEK; Spine instrumentation