Anterior cervical arthrodesis using DOC dynamic stabilization implant for improvement in sagittal angulation and controlled settling.

OBJECT: Placing instrumentation in the anterior cervical spine is a common procedure. The bi- and unicortical systems currently available, however, have distinct advantages and disadvantages. The author reports a prospective series in which a new dynamized anterior cervical fixation system was evaluated.
METHODS: Thirty-seven patients underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in which the DOC ventral cervical stabilization system was used for indications including cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, disc herniation, trauma, and myelopathy. Patients underwent anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion and/or corpectomy. Preoperative and postoperative clinical data included assessment of spinal cord and nerve root deficit, function, neck pain, and arm pain. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic data included sagittal angle, translation, and settling of the graft. Fusion status was determined by the presence of trabecular bridging bone on plain anteroposterior and lateral cervical radiographs. At a mean follow-up time of 1.3 years, postoperative neck or arm pain was resolved in 52% of the patients, restriction on function was mild or absent in 88%, and fusion was successful in 80% of patients and 88% of the treated levels. There was one implant-related complication, one significant dysphagia complication, and a 10.8% donor graft site complication rate.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of this system led to a high percentage of pain relief and radiographic fusion. The sagittal angle was controlled while allowing for graft settling. There were no implant failures.