Abstract
ObjectiveTo preliminarily evaluate the safety and efficacy of the uncovertebral joint fusion cage in a goat model of cervical spine interbody fusion.MethodsTwenty-four healthy adult goats were randomly assigned to one of the two following groups: Group A, goats were implanted with an uncovertebral joint fusion cage combined with a local autograft and Group B, goats were implanted with a non-profile cage filled with a local autograft. The goats were prospectively evaluated for 24 weeks and then were sacrificed for evaluation. X-rays, CT and micro-CT scanning, and undecalcified bone histological analysis were used for the evaluation of fusion.Results75.0% (9/12) of the goats in Group A were evaluated as having fusion at 12 weeks, compared to 41.7% (5/12) in Group B. 83.3% (10/12) of the goats in Group A were evaluated as having fusion at 24 weeks compared to 58.3% (7/12) in Group B. The fusion grading scores in Group A were significantly higher than that in Group B both at 12 weeks and 24 weeks (P < 0.05). Micro-CT scanning and undecalcified bone histological analysis showed that new bone formation can be obviously found in the bilateral uncovertebral joint. The bone volume fraction (BV/ TV) in Group A (23.59 ± 4.43%) was significantly higher than Group B (16.16 ± 4.21%), with P < 0.05.ConclusionsPreliminary results of this study demonstrated that uncovertebral joint fusion cage is effective for achieving early bone formation and fusion without increase of serious complications.
Highlights
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the most common surgical procedure in the treatment of spondylotic radiculopathy and myelopathy with demonstrated long-term clinical success [1, 2]
Surgical procedure Twelve uncovertebral joint fusion cages were implanted in Group A, and 12 non-profile cages were implanted in Group B as the control group
Results from CT scans, micro-CT scans and histological analysis in this study consistently demonstrate that the uncovertebral joint fusion cage was effective for achieving early bone formation and the uncovertebral joint fusion in the goat model
Summary
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the most common surgical procedure in the treatment of spondylotic radiculopathy and myelopathy with demonstrated long-term clinical success [1, 2]. Significant bony fusion is often observed in the uncovertebral joint area during anterior intervertebral release procedure in patients with old cervical fracture and dislocation. Previous clinical research concerning the application of a Zero-profile anchored spacer (Zero-P, Johnson & Johnson) in ACDF showed that bone grafting in the uncovertebral joint region can increase fusion rate [12]. This study was performed to preliminarily evaluate the safety and efficacy of the uncovertebral joint fusion cage in a goat model for the cervical spine interbody fusion
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