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

Injury. 2019 Apr;50(4):908-912. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2019.03.029. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

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.

Keywords: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion; Cervical spondylotic myelopathy; Dysphagia; Fidji cervical cage.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology
  • Deglutition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Deglutition Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Diskectomy / adverse effects*
  • Diskectomy / instrumentation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Internal Fixators / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*
  • Quality of Life
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spinal Fusion / adverse effects*
  • Spinal Fusion / instrumentation
  • Spondylosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Spondylosis / physiopathology
  • Spondylosis / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome