title: Disc prosthesis replacement and interbody fusion in the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease: comparative analysis of 176 consecutive cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to determine whether disc prosthesis replacement can be equivalent or superior compared with the disc interbody fusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January, 2005 and June, 2011 we performed microdiscetomy by the anterior approach in 176 patients. We subdivided the total set of patients into two groups. Group A is made up of 84 patients in whom the prosthetic disc was implanted; Group B is made up of 92 patients in whom disc fusion was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, the radicular pain disappeared and the signs of spinal cord compression improved or remained stable. Patients of Group A required significantly fewer days of hospitalization and shorter absence from work, and had significant lower scores in the Neck Disability Index (NDI) at 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experience demonstrates that the use of disc prosthesis is a safe and effective alternative to interbody fusion.
authors.affiliation: Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery Unit, University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia of Udine, Udine, Italy, cappelletto.barbara@aoud.sanita.fvg.it.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cappelletto
authors.forename: Fabrizia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giorgiutti
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Veltri
authors.forename: Massimo A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Trevigne
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Facchin
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Del Fabro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D059145:Total Disc Replacement / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
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