UNION AFTER MULTIPLE ANTERIOR CERVICAL FUSION - 21 CASES FOLLOWED FOR1-6 YEARS

With a mean follow-up of 3 (1-6) years, we report on 21 patients who u nderwent multiple level cervical fusion, using autologous iliac crest grafts. Discectomies were performed in 14 patients and corpectomies in another 7. Instrumentation was used in all patients with corpectomies and in 2 patients who underwent 2-level and and 3-level discectomies. Non-union occurred in 1 patient at 1 level. Graft displacement requir ing reoperation was observed in 2 patients with massive corpectomies, in 1 of them as a consequence of trauma. In both patients complete bon y fusion was obtained after reoperation and no other complications wer e observed. We conclude that the success rate with multiple-level fusi on is comparable to that of single-level fusion when adequate fixation is achieved.