Surgical results of single cervical spinal fusion by plate osteosynthesis in chronic cervical radiculopathy.

Introduction: In anterior cervical stabilization, collapsise of the grafted bone with resulting localized kyphosis and graft dislocation has been repo rted. It was the aim of this clinical trial to evaluate the benefit of addi tional plating while taking specific implant-related complications into acc ount. Methods: The results of single level anterior cervical spinal fusion were evaluated. In 44 patients suffering from chronic cervical radicular pa in with degenerative changes, arthrodesis with iliac-crest bone and plate f ixation was performed. Apart from elinical parameters, the pre- and postope rative segmental kyphosis and cervical lordosis were evalualed. Results: Th e total cervical alignment increased from 15.4 degrees to 18.5 degrees whil e the alignment of the fused segment increased from 2.6 degrees to 7.7 degr ees Postoperative decrease of correction did not occur. Bony fusion was con firmed in 95% after 12 months and 100% aller 36 months. Our results show th at patients had more relief from radicular pain (80%) ihan from unspecific neck pain (66%). Discussion: In single level anterior cervical fusion, addi tional plating successfully prevents dislocation of the bone graft and post operative kyphosis. The clinical results and pseudarthrosis rate do not dif fer from studies without plating. Long. term follow-up studies are necessar y to show the benefit of the reduced postoperative kyphosis.