title: Is "mini-invasive" technique for iliac crest harvesting an alternative to cervical cage implant? An overview of a large personal experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autograft bone provides an excellent substrate for multilevel arthrodesis after anterior discectomy and is inexpensive. However, the use of tricortical bone could increase the discomfort for the patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed cases of cervical disc diseases operated on by a single neurosurgeon (AS), within the period June 2000-December 2011. A total of 221 patients were considered for the present study; 109 female, 112 male, averaging 49 years of age. Only patients who could be followed up for at least one year were included in the present study. The grafts obtained with the technique described are bi- (and not tri-) cortical, and always of sufficient size in order to fit two spaces if necessary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The technique is not associated with long-term significant donor site pain except for a striking minority of patients, it shortens the hospital stay, it offers comparable results to the published surgical series in which cage and/or modern implants are used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autograft bone can be reasonably considered as one of the possible alternatives to be used in the surgical management of cervical disk disease.
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, N.C.L. Neurological Center of Latium, Italy ; Department of Biopathology, Institute of Anatomical Pathology, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spallone
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, N.C.L. Neurological Center of Latium, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Izzo
authors.affiliation: Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Unit of Neuroradiology, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galassi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Visocchi
keywords: Autograft; anterior cervical approach; cervical cage; donor site pain