영문제목Clinical application and surgical results of cervical hollow cage systems without

초록

Background and Aim : The authors applied cervical hollow cage without bone graft to the patients of one-level cervical spodylosis or acute cervical disc herniation to fill and stabilize a vacant space following anterior decompression. Their mechanical stability, bony growth on the intervertebral space and clinical improvement was retrospectively analyzed.Methods : Bone fusion after surgery was confirmed with dynamic x-ray and postoperative CT. At lease, all patients were followed up for 12 months.Results : At 12-month follow-up, 92.3% of patients reported successful arm pain relief (VAS scores below 5). 21 cases (53.8%) of “excellent” results and 13 cases (33.3%) of “good” results were included. In the lateral projection, the mean of preoperative disc height of the anterior and posterior portion was respectively 4.28±1.27 mm and 4.06±1.33 mm. Twelve months after operation, the mean disc height was significantly increased to 7.55±1.96 mm and 6.23±2.03 mm. Preoperatively, the mean segmental angle around surgical level was 0.63±2.03 degree, but significantly changed into 5.50±5.13 degree. No cage rotation or retropulsion was noted in follow-up periods. Radiographic stability on the flexion and extension lateral x-ray was recorded at 33 patients (84.6%). The subsidence of cage was observed in 6 patients (15.4%) in the postoperative periods and their satisfaction to surgery was not well. The factor of subsidence was thought to be related on over-sized cage selection.Conclusion : Cervical hollow cage was simple to perform and reduced the operation time and donor site pain due to processing without bone graft. In addition to stability, they might be improved intervertebral disc height and segmental cervical angle as the physiologic level. The cervical hollow cage may be an alternative to traditional cervical interbody fusion with bone graft.