Anterior cervical arthrodesis using a vertebral body autograft

Abstract Objective To assess fusion rates and functional outcomes in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion by using a vertebral body autograft for interbody filling and anterior cervical plate fixation. Material and methods The study included a total of 102 patients, 54 men and 48 women, who underwent surgery between 2006 and 2010 on patients with degenerative disease, cervical disk herniation and radiculopathy, and who had failed standard conservative treatment (3 months). The study was limited to patients with fusion levels 1–3. The mean patient follow-up was 44 (24–96) months. Their mean age was 48.8 years. Results The clinical variables analyzed were duration of symptoms (>12 months), smoking (31% smokers), employment status (76% active), average days of hospitalization (2.2 days), operation time (62 min), etiology (100%, degenerative disease), notable comorbidities (28%), fusion levels (42% 1, 49% 2, 9% 3), and symptoms of radiculalgia or axial pain. The functional variables analyzed scores (preoperative and postoperative scores) were VAS (8.6–1.32), Neck Disability Index (37.7–5.8), and Odom criteria (76% reflected excellent results after surgery). Finally, radiological variables were also analyzed: anterior reactive osteophytosis (16%), significant collapse (0%), and fusion rate (98%). There were 4 cases of acute postoperative complications, and 4 chronic, none of them were related to the surgical technique. Discussion The use of autograft bone of the vertebral body itself reduces comorbidities associated with the use of the iliac crest of the patient. Our results using the technique described are comparable to those in the literature, with a fusion rate of 98% and a mean of 62 min duration of the procedure.