Sa. Malca et al., CERVICAL INTERBODY XENOGRAFT WITH PLATE FIXATION - EVALUATION OF FUSION AFTER 7 YEARS OF USE IN POSTTRAUMATIC DISCOLIGAMENTOUS INSTABILITY, Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976), 21(6), 1996, pp. 685-690
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.