Bladed peek cage using the anterior approach in multiple-level degenerative cervical disc herniation: a case series of 156 patients

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cervical discectomy with bladed peek cage and differences in clinical outcomes, complication rates, and radiological findings of patients with multiple-level cervical degenerative disc herniation in terms of age, sex, and number of levels.Materials and Methods: The following data were assessed: demographic data, patient complaints, symptoms, neurologic examination and radiologic findings, postoperative outcomes, and complications of surgery. We assessed 156 patients who had level 2, 3, and 4 cervical degenerative disc herniation detected between 2012 and 2018 via radiological examination.Results: Of the patients, 41.6% (n = 65) were men and 58.4% (n = 91) women. The patients were aged 32–76 years, with an average age of 50.68 years. Moreover, 85.2% (n = 133), 13.5% (n = 21), and 1.3% (n = 2) of patients presented with level 2, 3, and 4 cervical degenerative disc herniation, respectively. All patients received medications as a conservative treatment during the preoperative period, and 79.5% (n = 124) underwent physiotherapy. In terms of complications, five patients developed neurological deficit and one developed superficial wound infection during the early postoperative period.Conclusion: The fusion rate may be similar to the stabilization, and cervical region movements may be achieved after performing anterior cervical plaque surgery with cage as well as anterior cervical discectomy and bladed peek cage surgery in patients with level 2 or higher cervical degenerative disc herniation and/or cervical spondylosis.