INTRAOSSEOUS SCREW FIXATION OF ANTERIOR CERVICAL GRAFT CONSTRUCT AFTER DISKECTOMY

This article describes a new technique of intraosseous screw fixation of the cervical spine, as well as a retrospective review of 27 patient s who had anterior cervical interbody fusion after diskectomy and fixa tion with one intraosseous Herbert screw, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The study included 19 men and eight women. There were no neuro logic complications at final follow-up evaluation. All patients had ra diographic evidence of fusion. No screw breakage, back-out, or dislodg ement occurred. Optimal intraoperative radiographic evaluation for acc urate intraosseous screw placement is recommended. The use of intraoss eous screw fixation is a useful addition to the armamentarium of the s pine surgeon when fixation of anterior cervical graft after diskectomy is required. One hundred percent rate of union and prevention of comp lications related to the currently used anterior fixation systems are the major advantages of this method.