Anterior cervical discectomy, fusion and stabilization by plate and screw--early experience

Anterior cervical plating is commonly performed to stabilize anterior cervical fusion. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and functional outcome, radiological fusion and operative complications in cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy who underwent Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) by autograft and stabilized with plate and screw. We evaluated 16 consecutive patients (M: F = 10:6) from January 2008 to December 2010 in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and different private hospitals in Dhaka, in cases where adequate conservative treatment failed. Single level ACDF by autograft and stabilization by plate and screw was done in 10 patients and 06 patients had two levels fusion. The mean follow up period was 18 months. The patients improved significantly (p < 0.05) and the recovery rate was 87.50%. All patients showed radiological fusion (p < 0.001). There was no hardware failure, graft extrusion or plate breakage. ACDF with plate and screw is fairly safe and effective therapy for cervical disc degeneration leading to myelo-radiculopathy where major post operative complications are uncommon.