Empty Bladed PEEK Cage for Interbody Fusion after Anterior Cervical Discectomy

Cervical disc herniation (CDH) can be treated using different anterior and posterior methods. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is currently gold standard and provides bony fusion and good clinical outcome. Recently many studies reported good clinical and radiological outcomes in cases who underwent anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) and reconstruction with empty cage. This study aimed to review our results after cervical microdiscectomy reconstructed with empty polyether ether ketone (PEEK) cage.

Twenty-five cases with single level CDH who underwent microdiscectomy were included to this study. Reconstruction was performed using empty bladed cervical PEEK cages. Clinical (Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Odom scores) and radiological results (intervertebral disc and foraminal heights, mean cervical spine lordosis angle, and fusion rate) were reviewed one day and one year after surgery.

There were 18 males and 7 females, aged between 25 and 54 years (mean: 40.8). Mean neck and arm VAS scores reduced from 2.9 to 1.4, and from 7.2 to 1.8, respectively. Odom scores were found to be 1.6 and 1.4 at 1st day and one year postoperatively, respectively. Subsidence was seen in three cases (12%). There was no significant change in heights of neural foramina and intervertebral discs, and no change in cervical spine lordosis, when compared postoperative 1st day and one year radiographs. Fusion was detected in 92% of cases in one year.

Bladed cervical cages are safe with almost no risk of dislocation. Empty cages provide acceptable rates of fusion and subsidence.