[Bone cement as replacement material of cervical disks]

Experimental and thermographic investigations, clinical and radiological long-term studies proved that the replacement of herniated cervical discs by bone cement has to be regarded as an operative procedure equivalent to other techniques using auto- or homogenous bone-graft. Tissue reactions on the allograft were studied. There is no risk of thermonecrosis at the adjacent neurogenic structures by polymerization heat. Clinical late results correspond with those of other operative techniques, the morbidity rates are about the same. Cervical anterior interbody fusion using PMMA is an alternative technique in the treatment of ruptured cervical discs.