J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1996 Feb;31(1):52-58. 10.4055/jkoa.1996.31.1.52.

Anterior Cervical Fusion with Cervical Spine Locking Plate System

• Park HJ
• Rah JH
• Yoon YS

• KMID: 2423575
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1996.31.1.52

Abstract

The anterior approach to arthrodesis of the cervical spine has become a widely accepted. However, anterior interbody fusion in the presence of the posterior instability may be complicated by the bone graft dislodgement, kyphotic deformity or nonunion. As an attempt to prevent this complications, anterior cervical plate after graft placement was introduced. Although, anterior cervical plates provide excellent fixation for the anterior column, potential risk for injury to the spinal cord, soft tissues or screw loosening leading to dysphagia has been reported. Morscher, of Switzerland, has developed an anterior cervical spine locking plate(CLSP) system that attempts to prevent the migration and looseing of screw by using a cross-split screw head that can be locked into the plate. The secondary advantage of this system is the limination of the required posterior cortex purchase. The authors reviewed 42 patients in whom the CLSP system was applied for the treatment of degenerative disease or trauma. With a mean followup of 18 months, all 42 patients went on to fusion. One patient had screws placed in the discal space, hardware failure occurred in two patients. There was no iatrogenic injury to the spinal cord or esophagus. In conclusion, the CLSP system provides a reliable fusion with minimal complications. It should be considered in multilevel anterior cervical arthrosis and cervical fractures.

Keyword

Cervical spine; Anterion fusion; CSLP system

MeSH Terms

Arthrodesis
Congenital Abnormalities
Deglutition Disorders
Esophagus
Follow-Up Studies
Head
Humans
Spinal Cord
Spine*
Switzerland
Transplants