Abstract

BENATO, Marcel Luiz; ZANINELL, Ed Marcelo; GRAELLS, Xavier Soler i  and  SONAGLI, Marcos Andre. Anterior cervical arthrodesis for three and four levels using stand-alone interbody cages without cervical plates. Coluna/Columna [online]. 2009, vol.8, n.2, pp. 143-147. ISSN 1808-1851.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1808-18512009000200008.

evaluate the rates of fusion of the anterior cervical discectomy and arthrodesis for three and four levels using interbody cages (stand-alone) without cervical plates six months after post-operative. METHODS: from November 2005 to July 2008, 20 patients were treated as proposed. The inclusion criteria were: cervical degenerative disease of three and four levels; axial and/or irradiated pain at least six months of follow-up. The exclusion criteria were: cervical traumatic instability. The fusion rate, clinical symptoms, rate of complications and the implant position were evaluated six months after post-operative. RESULTS: results were favorable in 100% of the patients, with residual pain in two cases. Fusion was found in 100% of the patients, except for two cases with minimum subsidence and fusion in a slight kyphotic position. There were not significant complications. The discharge of the hospital was performed within two days. CONCLUSION: The technique is safe and produced good functional and radiological results.

Keywords : Spinal fusion [methods]; Arthrodesis [methods]; Cervical vertebrae [surgery]; Bone plates; Bone screws; Follow-up studies.