RADIOGRAPHIC OUTCOMES OF ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY AND FUSION SURGERY BY USING CUSHIONED TITANIUM CAGE.

Purpose: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is considered as a standard procedure for treating cervical degenerative disc disease. This retrospective study aimed to analyze the radiographic outcome of using a novel cushion titanium cage (Baui Z-Brace Dynamic Fusion Cage). Methods: Fifty-seven patients who received either single-, double-, or three-level interbody fusion surgeries were enrolled. Data from initial status after surgery and postoperative follow-ups for five years were obtained. The patients were divided into three groups according to different levels of cage implantation: 1-level (n = 2 7), 2-level (n = 2 5), and 3-level (n = 6). Follow-up time and fusion rate of radiographs were subjected to evaluation. Results: The lateral view of plain radiographs manifests no evident cage subsidence (> 3 mm) and dislodgment in 1-, 2-, and 3-level cage implantation. The follow-up time is three years in 1-level and two years in 2- and 3-level. The CT scans at the final follow-up among different levels of cage implantation manifested bony fusion. The measurement of the Hounsfield unit indicates the bone growth inside the cage compared with control case, demonstrating solid bony fusion among groups at the final follow-up. Conclusions: The data confirm that the specialized Z-shaped structure of the cushion titanium cage may provide the interfragmentary motion stimulating innate bony fusion for sustained improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]