title: Anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical spondylosis.
abstract: This meta-analysis aims to estimate the benefits and drawbacks associated with anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA) versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylosis. Of 3651 identified citations, 10 randomised controlled studies involving 2380 participants were included. Moderate quality evidence supports that patients in the ACDA group had: (1) a higher Neck Disability Index (NDI) success rate at 3 month (relative risk [RR]=0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78 to 0.93, p=0.0002) and 2 year follow-up (RR=0.95, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.00, p=0.04); (2) greater neurological success at 2 year follow-up (RR=0.95, 95%CI 0.92 to 0.98); and (3) were more likely to be employed within 6 weeks after surgery (RR=0.80 95%CI 0.66 to 0.96). In summary, the current evidence indicates that ACDA is associated with a higher NDI success rate in the short and long-term as well as a higher neurological success rate. Patients who undergo ACDA may also have a greater likelihood of being employed in the short-term. However, all of the evidence reviewed is of moderate or low quality and the clinical significance often marginal or unclear. Additional data are needed to compare the benefits and limitations of ACDA and ACDF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Gao-Ling
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jian-Zhong
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Research Center of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: hongbinlu@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Hong-Bin
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Research Center of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Research Center of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Li-Yun
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Research Center of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Feng-Lei
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Zai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004651:Employment; D006801:Humans; D011336:Probability; D012107:Research Design; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Arthroplasty; Cervical spine; Disc replacement; Fusion; Meta-analysis