CERVICAL INTERBODY XENOGRAFT WITH PLATE FIXATION - EVALUATION OF FUSION AFTER 7 YEARS OF USE IN POSTTRAUMATIC DISCOLIGAMENTOUS INSTABILITY

Study Design. This retrospective study analyzed clinical and radiologi c follow-up evaluations of cervical arthrodesis where interbody xenogr aft combined with internal fixation was used for management of post-tr aumatic discoligamentous instability. Objectives. To report results of use of xenograft to avoid the various disadvantages linked to the use of autologous or allogenous bone graft. Summary of Background Data. L igamentous instability of the cervical spine is unlikely to heal in a high proportion of cases, and surgical arthrodesis is usually indicate d. Anterior arthrodesis has proved to be a safe procedure, but many pr oblems are associated with the use of autograft or allograft. Given th e great number of xenograft procedures, there are relatively few repor ts in the literature. Methods. A retrospective study analyzed a consec utive series of 52 patients presenting with post-traumatic discoligame ntous instability of the cervical spine in which cervical interbody xe nografts with plate fixations were done. Follow-up clinical evaluation for neck pain and radiologic evaluation for arthrodesis stability and xenograft fusion at various points in time were done. Results. The lo ng-term results in 41 patients were satisfactory: no infectious compli cations, extrusion, fracture, loss of height, or resorption of the gra ft. Seventy-five percent fusion was seen before 9 months after surgery , and 100% fusion was seen 3-18 months after surgery (average, 7.4 mon ths). Conclusions. Interbody xenograft combined with a rigid plate fix ation avoids the problems linked to autologous or allogenous bone graf t and gives a safe and solid interbody fusion when arthrodesis is requ ired in ligamentous instability of the cervical spine.