title: The application of zero-profile anchored spacer in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of the zero-profile anchored spacers in the treatment of one-level or two-level cervical degenerative disc disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  From April 2011 to April 2013, a total of 63 consecutive patients with cervical degenerative disc disease who underwent one- or two-level ACDF using either the zero-profile anchored spacer or the stand-alone cages and a titanium plate fixation were reviewed for the radiological and clinical outcomes and complications. The zero-profile anchored spacers were used in 30 patients (anchored group) and stand-alone cages with an anterior cervical plate were implanted in 33 cases (non-anchored group). Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, clinical and radiological results were compared between the anchored group and the non-anchored group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up for at least 12 months. There were not bolt loosening or rupture of anchoring clips, screws or titanium plates observed in two groups during follow-up period. There were no significant difference in neck disability index scores, Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, fusion rate, and cervical lordosis during follow-up between two groups (P > 0.05), but significant difference in the operation time, blood loss and the presence of dysphagia were found (P < 0.05). There were no adjacent disc degeneration and instability observed in two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The zero-profile anchored spacer achieved similar clinical outcomes compared to ACDF with anterior plating for the treatment of the cervical degenerative disc disease. However, zero-profile anchored spacer was associated with a lower risk of postoperative dysphagia, shorter operation time, less blood loss, and relatively greater simplicity than the stand-alone cage with a titanium plate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China.
authors.forename: Zhiwen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Weimin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Xuefeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jinhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Huilin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation*