Comparison of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes After Standalone Versus Cage and Plate Constructs for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Case illustration. Preoperative lateral (A) extension and (B) flexion radiographs demonstrate dynamic spondylolisthesis at C4–5 and C7–T1. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging with (C) sagittal and (D) axial cuts at C4–5 and (E) C7–T1 show disc herniations at those levels with moderate canal stenosis at C4–5 and severe canal stenosis at C7–T1. Postoperative (F) lateral and (G) anterior-posterior (AP) radiographs show placement of standalone constructs at C4–5 and C7–T1. Interval (H) lateral and (I) AP radiographs, as well as (J) sagittal and (K) axial computed tomography images 2 months later demonstrate hardware failure with anterior displacement of the C7–T1 standalone construct out of the disc space. Postrevision (L) lateral and (M) AP radiographs show implantation of a cage-and-plate construct at C7–T1.