J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1993 Feb;22(2):180-187.

Clinical Experiences of Anterior Cervical Spine Fusion with the Caspar Plate

• Lee JC
• Kim DW
• Son EI
• Yim MB
• Kim IH

Abstract

The anterior interbody fusion for cervical spine disease may not provide adequate immediate stabilization, but anterior cervical spine plating has overcome this main disadvantage. Between August 1991 and August 1992, twenty patients with a variety of cervical spine abnormalities were treated by anterior cervical spine fusion with the Caspar plate system. Fourteen patients had traumatic fracture and/or dislocation, three had infection(including two tuberculous spondylitis), two had degenerative spondylosis, and on had metastatic tumor. Single level fusion was accomplished in six patients, two-level fusion in eleven patients, and three-level fusion in three patients. Among seventeen patients with an incomplete transverse lesion or neck pain, all patients showed some recovery at discharge except two patients with Frankel grade D. Complications included screw loosening(one patient), dysphagia(one patient, which subsided after removal of the plate), and transient neurological worsening(one patient). All patients had good bony fusion except one which had screw loosening. Careful attention to surgical technique is needed to assure good results.

Keyword

Cervical spine; Anterior fusion; Internal fixation; Caspar plate

MeSH Terms

Dislocations
Humans
Neck Pain
Spine*
Spondylosis