Abstract
We retrospectively reviewed 76 patients who had undergone anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion without plate instrumentation. They consisted of 62 males and 14 females and were follwed up for an average of 23.1 months (3-48 months). Dynamic roentgenograms taken after surgery were reviewed and final decision was made based on flexion-extension roentgenograms and disappearance of clear zone between a vertebra and bone graft. The overall union rate was 92% (70 of 76patients) and mean time to union was 5.8 months. Solid arthrodesis was achieved in 94% of patients with one-level fusion (48 of 51patients) , 88% of those with two-level fusion (21 of 24 patients), and 100% of those with three-level fusion (1 of 1patient). Pseudoarthrosis with motion was noted in 6 patients. Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion without plate instrumentation results in acceptable fusion rates for not only single-level but also multi-level fusion.
