Anterior cervical fusion with interbody cage containing beta-tricalcium phosphate: Clinical and radiological results

Abstract

Aim: Beta tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) is an osteoconductive, resorbable material. Its clinicaleffectiveness has been proved in many indications. This study was clinical and radiographic study reportobtained in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion ACDF in which PEEK cages wereŞlled beta-TCP in an injectable form.Material and methods: Between January 2010 and June 2011, 16 consecutive patients underwent ACDFusing PEEK cages with beta-TCP. The cohort compromised 10 men and 6 women with a mean age of 45.2years. The surgery was performed when the patient had myelopathy or radiculopathy with progressiveneurological deŞcit, or failure of conservative treatment (a minimum of 3 months). The patients wereevaluated by Odom criteria preoperatively and postoperative 3rd, 6th, 12th and 24th months. Preop andpostop pain was evaluated with visual analogue scala (VAS). Disc height and fusion success rates wereevaluated.Results: Preoperative average VAS score was 7.9 (7e10) for neck pain and 8 (7e10) for arm pain. At theŞnal follow-up, these scores became 1.5 and 1.4 for neck and arm pain, respectively. The averageimprovement rate was 81% for neck pain and 82.5% for arm pain. Postop ODOM's criteria main rate was3.4. Bone fusion was achieved in 14 segments (70%) at 3rd month, 19 segments (95%) at 12th monthfollow-up assessment.Conclusion: Clinical and radiological results revealed that B-TCP is a good alternative synthetic fusionmaterial for cervical interbody fusion.Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.