A comparative study for the usage of Fidji cervical cages after multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

Abstract Background Postoperative dysphagia is one major concern in the treatment for patients with cervical spine spondylosis by using anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with plating and cage system. Purpose To evaluate the influence of two types of surgery for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) on postoperative dysphagia, namely ACDF with cage alone (ACDF-CA) using Fidji cervical cages and ACDF with cage and plate fixation (ACDF-CP). Methods A retrospective study was performed in 62 consecutive patients with multilevel CSM, including 32 underwent ACDF-CA (group A) and 30 underwent ACDF-CP (group B). All enrolled patients were followed up at 48 h, 2 months and 6 months postoperatively, when the dysphagia rate, Swallowing-Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) score and the thickness of prevertebral soft tissue were recorded. Results At 48 h and 2 months, the dysphagia rate and thickness of prevertebral soft tissue were both significantly lower in group A than in group B, while the SWAL-QOL score of group A was significantly higher than that of group B. No significant difference was observed at 6 months. Conclusion Fidji cervical cages could relieve postoperative dysphagia in the treatment of multilevel CSM with ACDF, especially at the first several months postoperatively.