Anterior cervical interbody fusion using polyetheretherketone cage filled with synthetic bone graft in acute cervical spine injury

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess the interbody fusion rate for patients treated by anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF) using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages filled with synthetic bone graft in acute cervical spine injury. Materials and methodsTwenty-nine patients (mean age: 49 years) with monosegmental instability due to cervical spine injury were followed. We assessed the rate of and time to interbody fusion at 1-year follow-up. In case of secondary displacement, we analysed its causes and surgical management. ResultsThe rate of fusion was 86.2%. The mean time to fusion was 7.2 months. Interbody fusion was observed at 3 months in 4 patients, at 6 months in 14 and at 1 year in 7. Four patients had secondary displacement within 3 months. ConclusionACIF with a PEEK cage filled with synthetic bone graft seems to be an alternative to iliac crest bone graft with no morbidity related to the harvest site.