Analyzing results of cervical sagittal parameters in patients operated with polyetheretherketone cages without plate.

Abstract

Study design: This was a retrospective longitudinal observational study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of cervical sagittal parameters on preoperative and postoperative lateral radiographs in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). ACDF is believed to change craniocervical parameters and thus cervical curvature using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or titanium cages with or without self-locking as well as an anterior plate, the latter of which has not been shown to provide better clinical or radiological results.

Overview of literature: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a common degenerative pathology that can affect one or more levels and treatment has varied over time trying to maintain sagittal parameters within acceptable values where the ACDF is the main treatment.

Materials and methods: The study was performed in patients with CSM who underwent anterior cervical discectomy, and their pre- and postoperative radiographs were analyzed using Surgimap software a few days before and 3 months after surgery.

Results: Fifteen files were included in the study. Statistically significant sagittal balance variables were observed in cervical lordosis (CL) with an increase of 4.73° (P = 0.019) and T1 slope (T1S)-CL with a decrease of -5.93° (P = 0.007).

Conclusions: CL and T1S-CL showed favorably modified values when performing ACDF using stand-alone PEEK cages without the need for self-blocking or an anterior plate.