title: An early comparative analysis of the use of autograft versus allograft in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to verify the usefulness of autograft versus allograft in the radiographic and clinical outcome in early period after the surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of 38 patients who had undergone one- or two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with rigid anterior plate fixation from March 2006 to May 2009. Interbody graft materials were iliac autograft (n=17) or with allograft (n=21). Fusion rate and graft collapse rate were assessed by radiographic analysis and clinical outcome was based on Odom's criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In autograft group, 13 patients achieved successful bone fusion (65%), whereas 7 patients (31.8%) in allograft group. There was statistically significant between two groups (p<0.05). Comparing immediate postoperative radiograph with last follow-up, the mean graft collapse was noted 1.3mm(15.5% change) in autograft group, whereas 2.0mm(24.7% change) in allograft group. There was no statistically significant collapse rate in autograft group (p>0.05), but statistically significant in allograft group (p<0.05). Clinical outcome was excellent or good in 94.1% in autograft group, and 90.5% in allograft group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In study, anterior cervical interbody fusion with an allograft got a result of lower fusion rate and higher collapse rate compared with autograft in early period after surgery, and clinical outcome showed similar results in both groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Seok
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Sam
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Mim
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Moon Sun
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Han Kyu
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Allograft; Autograft; Cervical Vertebrae; Spinal Fusion