Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The application of zero-profile anchored spacer in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Spine Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of the zero-profile anchored spacers in the treatment of one-level or two-level cervical degenerative disc disease.

Methods

From April 2011 to April 2013, a total of 63 consecutive patients with cervical degenerative disc disease who underwent one- or two-level ACDF using either the zero-profile anchored spacer or the stand-alone cages and a titanium plate fixation were reviewed for the radiological and clinical outcomes and complications. The zero-profile anchored spacers were used in 30 patients (anchored group) and stand-alone cages with an anterior cervical plate were implanted in 33 cases (non-anchored group). Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, clinical and radiological results were compared between the anchored group and the non-anchored group.

Results

All patients were followed up for at least 12 months. There were not bolt loosening or rupture of anchoring clips, screws or titanium plates observed in two groups during follow-up period. There were no significant difference in neck disability index scores, Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, fusion rate, and cervical lordosis during follow-up between two groups (P > 0.05), but significant difference in the operation time, blood loss and the presence of dysphagia were found (P < 0.05). There were no adjacent disc degeneration and instability observed in two groups.

Conclusions

The zero-profile anchored spacer achieved similar clinical outcomes compared to ACDF with anterior plating for the treatment of the cervical degenerative disc disease. However, zero-profile anchored spacer was associated with a lower risk of postoperative dysphagia, shorter operation time, less blood loss, and relatively greater simplicity than the stand-alone cage with a titanium plate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Smith GW, Robinson RA (1958) The treatment of certain cervical-spine disorders by anterior removal of the intervertebral disc and interbody fusion. J Bone Joint Surg Am 40(3):607–624

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Silber JS, Anderson DG, Daffner SD, Brislin BT, Hilibrand AS, Albert TJ (2003) Donor site morbidity after anterior iliac crest bone harvest for single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 28(2):134–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Fujibayashi S, Shikata J, Kamiya N, Tanaka C (2000) Missing anterior cervical plate and screws: a case report. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 25(17):2258–2261

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Lowery GL, McDonough RF (1998) The significance of hardware failure in anterior cervical plate fixation. Patients with 2- to 7-year follow-up. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 23(2):181–186 (discussion 186–187)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Fountas KN, Kapsalaki EZ, Nikolakakos LG, Smisson HF, Johnston KW, Grigorian AA, Robinson JS (2007) Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion associated complications. Spine Phila Pa (1976) 32(21):2310–2317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Jung A, Schramm J, Lehnerdt K, Herberhold C (2005) Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy during anterior cervical spine surgery: a prospective study. J Neurosurg Spine 2(2):123–127

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Orlando ER, Caroli E, Ferrante L (2003) Management of the cervical esophagus and hypofarinx perforations complicating anterior cervical spine surgery. Spine 28(15):E290–E295

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bazaz R, Lee MJ, Yoo JU (2002) Incidence of dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery: a prospective study. Spine Phila Pa (1976) 27(22):2453–2458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Yue WM, Brodner W, Highland TR (2005) Persistent swallowing and voice problems after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with allograft and plating: a 5-to 11-year follow-up study. Eur Spine J 14(7):677–682

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Vernon H, Mior S (1991) The Neck Disability Index: a study of reliability and validity. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 14(7):409–415

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Yonenobu K, Okada K, Fuji T, Fujiwara K, Yamashita K, Ono K (1986) Causes of neurologic deterioration following surgical treatment of cervical myelopathy. Spine Phila Pa (1976) 11(8):818–823

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Hirabayashi K, Miyakawa J, Satomi K, Maruyama T, Wakano K (1981) Operative results and postoperative progression of ossification among patients with ossification of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament. Spine Phila Pa (1976) 6(4):354–364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hacker RJ, Cauthen JC, Gilbert TJ, Griffith SL (2000) A prospective randomized multicenter clinical evaluation of an anterior cervical fusion cage. Spine Phila Pa (1976) 25(20):2646–2655

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Rao RD, Gourab K, David KS (2006) Operative treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. J Bone Joint Surg Am 88(7):1619–1640

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Vaccaro AR, Falatyn SP, Scuderi GJ, Eismont FJ, McGuire RA, Singh K, Garfin SR (1998) Early failure of long segment anterior cervical plate fixation. J Spinal Disord 11(5):410–415

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Sahjpaul RL (2007) Esophageal perforation from anterior cervical screw migration. Surg Neurol 68(2):205–209

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Smith-Hammond CA, New KC, Pietrobon R, Curtis DJ, Scharver CH, Turner DA (2004) Prospective analysis of incidence and risk factors of dysphagia in spine surgery patients: comparison of anterior cervical, posterior cervical, and lumbar procedures. Spine 29(13):1441–1446

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Frempong-Boadu A, Houten JK, Osborn B, Opulencia J, Kells L, Guida DD, Roux PD (2002) Swallowing and speech dysfunction in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a prospective, objective preoperative and postoperative assessment. J Spinal Disord Tech 15(5):362–368

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Lee MJ, Bazaz R, Furey CG, Yoo J (2005) Influence of anterior cervical plate design on dysphagia: a 2-year prospective longitudinal follow-up study. J Spinal Disord Tech 18(5):406–409

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Scholz M, Schnake KJ, Pingel A, Hoffmann R, Kandziora F (2011) A new zero-profile implant for stand-alone anterior cervical interbody fusion. Clin Orthop Relat Res 469(3):666–673

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Dickerman RD, Reynolds AS, Morgan BC, Tompkins J, Cattorini J (2007) Bennett Mrh-BMP-2 can be used safely in the cervical spine: dose and containment are the keys! Spine J 7(4):508–509

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Maldonado CV, Paz RD, Martin CB (2011) Adjacent-level degeneration after cervical disc arthroplasty versus fusion. Eur Spine J 20(3):403–407

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Kao FC, Niu CC, Chen LH, Lai PL, Chen WJ (2005) Maintenance of interbody space in one-and two-level anterior cervical interbody fusion: comparison of the effectiveness of autograft, allograft, and cage. Clin Orthop Relat Res 430:108–116

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Baba H, Furusawa N, Imura S, Kawahara N, Tsuchiya H, Tomita K (1993) Late radiographic findings after anterior cervical fusion for spondylotic myeloradiculopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 18(15):2167–2173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Schwab JS, Diangelo DJ, Foley KT (2006) Motion compensation associated with single-level cervical fusion: where does the lost motion go? Spine Phila Pa (1976) 31(21):2439–2448

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

None of the authors has any potential conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, 215006, China

    Zhiwen Wang, Weimin Jiang, Xuefeng Li, Heng Wang, Jinhui Shi, Jie Chen, Bin Meng & Huilin Yang

Authors
  1. Zhiwen Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Weimin Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xuefeng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Heng Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jinhui Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jie Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Bin Meng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Huilin Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Weimin Jiang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, Z., Jiang, W., Li, X. et al. The application of zero-profile anchored spacer in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Eur Spine J 24, 148–154 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-014-3628-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-014-3628-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation