473 Does Bioactive Glass Ceramic Cage Achieve Early Fusion in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion?: A Prospective Multicenter Study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Bioactive glass ceramic (BGC) is known to chemically bond with bones by forming a hydroxyapatite layer and inducing osteoblastic differentiation. METHODS: A total of 40 patients who underwent 1-level ACDF using BGC cage to treat degenerative cervical radiculopathy/myelopathy were enrolled in multicenter (3 hospitals) prospectively. Fusion defined by CT and X-ray, subsidence, and breakage of BGC cage were evaluated at postoperative six months period. Demographic data, fusion rates, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for neck or arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores, SF-36 and complications were also checked. RESULTS: Fusion rates were 88.5% when assessed by interspinous motion and 92.3% when CT assessed by intragraft and extragraft bone bridging in the BGC group at 6-month follow-up. The neck pain or arm pain VAS scores, NDI scores and SF-36 significantly improved. No material-related complications were observed related BGC cage, such as graft resorption and breakage. Subsidence occurred 3 patients who improved neck pain or arm pain VAS scores, and NDI scores compared to preoperative status. CONCLUSIONS: BGC cage was effective and safe when used in ACDF, conferring a early and high fusion rate and favorable clinical outcomes at postoperative 6 months period.