Anterior cervical interbody fusion with radiolucent carbon fiber cages: clinical and radiological results.

The authors retrospectively evaluated 30 patients with an anterior cervical interbody fusion for cervical spondylosis or disc herniation. Open box carbon fiber cages were used at 45 levels. The visual analogue scales (VAS), respectively for neck and for arm pain, and the neck disability index (NDI) improved significantly (p < 0.001). Fusion occurred in 87% of the operated levels. Subsidence of the cages into the endplates was observed in 49% of the operated levels, which increased to 54% when more levels were fused. No correlation between subsidence of the cage and clinical outcome or radiographic fusion was established. The authors conclude that cervical discectomy and interbody fusion using an open box carbon fiber cage is a satisfactory treatment option for degenerative cervical disease causing neck pain and radiculopathy, despite the relatively high percentage of subsidence of this cage.