The Effects of Plate Stabilization on Maintenance of Interspace Height in Patients with Lower Cervical Lesion Underwent Anterior Cervical Interbody Fusion

Kim, Young Ock; Cho, Yong Jun; Kim, Sung Min; Lee, Jong In; Ahn, Sung Ki; Hwang, Jang Hoe; Ahn, Myung Soo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
L: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion has been successfully performed for many years using a variety of techniques. Recently, the concept of internal fixation has been applied to the lower cervical lesions. The need for postoperative immobilization, usually required to stabilize the patient while the fusion mass heals, is decreased or negated by internal fixation. In order to determine the effects of plate stabilization on maintenance of interspace height during postoperative period, we assessed the potential differences between anterior interbody fusion without plate and fusion with plate in patients with lower cervical lesions.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The authors analyzed the results of 76 patients with lower cervical lesions, who underwent anterior interbody fusion between May, 1991 and December, 1997. Of these, 36 underwent only anterior interbody bony fusion and 40 underwent bony fusion plus interbody fixation with plate system.
RESULTS
In order to compare the difference of two groups, we investigated the pre- and postoperative interspace height, clinical outcomes, and radiographic fusion success rates. Anterior interbody fusion with plate was found to be superior to anterior interbody fusion without plate after anterior cervical decompression procedures with respect to maintenance of cervical interspace height(p<0.01), and radiographic and clinical fusion success rates.
CONCLUSION
The authors concluded that the use of anterior plate fixation may provide added security to the nervous system before bony fusion occurs, may potentiate the maintenance of interspace height, may increase the probability of successful fusion, and may permit early ambulation.