The short-term fusion rate of osteophyte filled cervical cage evaluated by a combination of CT, MR and X-ray film.

Abstract

Objective To observe the short-term fusion rate of using osteophyte filled cage in ante-rior cervical disectomy and fusion. Methods From May 2007 to May 2009, 103 patients receiving anterior cervical disectomy, spine fusion by different surgeons were performed with cages containing exclusively au-tologous osteophyte collected from both anterior and posterior vertebral edges adjacent to the intervertebral space. There are 69 males, 34 females, from 25 to 77 years of age, average 53.6 years. 60 patients received one level fusion. 33 and 10 patients received two-level and three-level fusion respectively. Patients were re-viewed 3 months after operation and fusion was evaluated by X-ray film, reconstructive CT and MR. Results 1. Only 1.9% (2/103) of patients' X-ray films indicate non-fusion (internal fixation failure) while 31.7% (32/ 103) of patients' CT and 30.1% (31/103) of patients' MR indicate non-fusion or being confusing to make a diagnosis. 2. The diagnostic coherence between CT and MR as to evaluate fusion is good (kappa=0.686, P= 0.00). 3. The total fusion rate was 77.7%(80/103) while the highest fusion rate achieved by single surgeon was 90%(18/20). The total one level fusion rate was 80%(48/60) while the highest rate by single surgeon was 88.2%(15/17). The total two-level fusion rate was 78.6%(26/33) while the highest rate by single sur-geon was 90%(9/10). The total three-level fusion rate was 60%(60/100) while the highest rate by single surgeon was 100%(3/3). No statistic significant difference in fusion rate was found between any two of the three groups. Conclusion The method of using osteophyte filled cage can acquire ideal short-term fusion rate in one and two-level anterior cervical disectomy, fusion and plate fixation. Key words: Cervical vertebrae; Spinal fusion; Evaluation studies