A Study of Korean Society of Spine Surgery on the Outcomes of Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

A Study of Korean Society of Spine Surgery on the Outcomes of Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

The purpose of this study is firstly to determine the efficacy of cervical plate for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using cervical cage, and secondly to investigate the determining factors for surgical outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• degenerative cervical disease
• radiculopathy or myelopathy refractory to conservative treatment
• be scheduled to undergo one segment anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
• age is more than 19 years old
• all requirements of preoperative image studies are satisfied

Exclusion Criteria:

• previous neck surgery or radiation treatments at neck area
• fusion at adjacent segments
• two segment fusion is expected
• C2-3 or C7-T1
• high risk for additional cervical surgery within one year
• ossification of posterior longitudinal ligaments, trauma, infection, tumor, congenital or developmental disease
• inadequate radiological images
• patient is not expected to be observed at long term follow-up (foreigner, international student)