Use of a bioabsorbable anterior cervical plate in the treatment of cervical degenerative and traumatic disc disruption

Object. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a widely accepted treatment for anterior degenerative or traumatic instability of the cervical spine. To reduce or eliminate complications such as implant migration and failure, imaging degradation, and fusion stress shielding that are occasionally associated with spinal instrumentation, attention has been given to the use of bioresorbable anterior cervical plate (ACP) devices. This paper is a preliminary report of a retrospective series in which a resorbable mesh and screw system was used for graft containment in single-level ACDF. Methods. A review of patient charts and imaging studies was conducted to determine functional outcome, fusion success, and potential soft-tissue reaction to implant resorption. Nine patients with a cervical degenerative disc disease or traumatic disc disruption were treated between October 2001 and March 2002. Follow up averaged 206 days. Eight patients were found to have an excellent result, one patient had a good result, and no patients had a satisfactory or poor result. At the time of follow-up examination, 77% of patients were found to have a radiographically solid fusion. The two patients without a solid fusion were examined only an average 8 months postoperatively and manifested no symptoms related to fusion nonhealing. No significant soft-tissue reaction was noted clinically or radiographically in any of the patients. Conclusions. The results of this preliminary study indicate that bioresorbable ACP systems for single-level ACDF are both safe and effective.