title: The M6-C Cervical Disk Prosthesis: First Clinical Experience in 33 Patients.
abstract: METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the short-term clinical succesrate of the M6-C cervical disk prosthesis in primary and secondary surgery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA) provides an alternative to anterior cervical decompression and fusion for the treatment of spondylotic radiculopathy or myelopathy. The prevention of adjacent segment disease (ASD), a possible complication of anterior cervical decompression and fusion, is its most cited--although unproven--benefit. Unlike older arthroplasty devices that rely on a ball-and-socket-type design, the M6-C cervical disk prosthesis represents a new generation of unconstrained implants, developed to achieve better restoration of natural segmental biomechanics. This device should therefore optimize clinical performance of CDA and reduce ASD.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients had preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and postoperative x-rays. Clinical outcome was assessed using the Neck Disability Index, a Visual Analog Scale, and the SF-36 questionnaire. Patients were asked about overall satisfaction and whether they would have the surgery again.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-three patients were evaluated 17.1 months after surgery, on average. Nine patients had a history of cervical interventions. Results for Neck Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale, and SF-36 were significantly better among patients who had undergone primary surgery. In this group, 87.5% of patients reported a good or excellent result and 91.7% would have the procedure again. In contrast, all 4 device-related complications occurred in the small group of patients who had secondary surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The M6-C prosthesis appears to be a valuable addition to the CDA armatorium. It generates very good results in patients undergoing primary surgery, although its use in secondary surgery should be avoided. Longer follow-up is needed to determine to what measure this device can prevent ASD.
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Orthopaedic Surgery†Physiotherapy, Stedelijk Ziekenhuis Roeselare, Roeselare‡Department of Electronics and Information Technology (ELIT), University College West Flanders, Ugent, Kortrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van den Daelen
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Linden
authors.forename: Maria-Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ciocci
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bocher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery*; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*