title: Differences between arthroplasty and anterior cervical fusion in two-level cervical degenerative disc disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although arthroplasty is an accepted option for two-level disease, there is a paucity of data regarding outcomes of two-level cervical arthroplasty. The current study was designed to determine differences between two-level cervical arthroplasty and anterior fusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven consecutive patients who underwent two-level anterior cervical operations for degenerative disc disease were divided into the arthroplasty (37 patients) and fusion (40 patients) groups. Clinical outcomes were measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of neck and arm pain, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Every patient was evaluated by radiography and computed tomography for fusion or detection of heterotopic ossification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven patients (with 74 levels of Bryan discs) were compared with 40 patients who had two-level anterior fusion (mean follow-up of 39.6 ± 6.7 months). There was no difference in sex, but the mean age of the arthroplasty group was significantly younger (52.1 ± 9.1 vs. 63.0 ± 10.6 years, p < 0.001). The mean estimated blood loss was similar (p = 0.135), but the mean operation time was longer in the arthroplasty group (315.5 ± 82.0 versus 224.9 ± 61.8 min, p < 0.001). At 24 months post-operation, the arthroplasty group had increased their range of motion than pre-operation (23.5° versus 20.1°, p = 0.018). There were significant improvements in neck or arm VAS, JOA scores, and NDI in both groups. However, there were no differences in clinical outcomes or adverse events between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical outcomes of two-level arthroplasty and anterior cervical fusion are similar 39.6 months after surgery. Cervical arthroplasty preserves mobility at the index levels without increased adverse effects.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Room 509, 17F, No. 201, Shih-Pai Road, Sec. 2, Beitou, Taipei, 11217, Taiwan.
authors: Li-Yu
authors: LY
authors: Fay
authors: Wen-Cheng
authors: WC
authors: Huang
authors: Tzu-Yun
authors: TY
authors: Tsai
authors: Jau-Ching
authors: JC
authors: Wu
authors: Chin-Chu
authors: CC
authors: Ko
authors: Tsung-Hsi
authors: TH
authors: Tu
authors: Ching-Lan
authors: CL
authors: Wu
authors: Henrich
authors: H
authors: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome