Follow-up of a new titanium cervical plate for fusion of the cervical spine

Abstract

Cervical plates are in use since the 1990ies for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The latest step in development was a dynamic plate that allows sliding of the screws facilitating the natural settling of the bone after surgery. We investigated the clinical and radiological results of such a dynamic plate in a patient cohort that underwent single or multi-level ACDF for various cervical degenerative indications, including revision cases, from 2014 to 2019. Clinical and radiological outcome were assessed in 60 eligible patients after a mean of 2.9 years. The assessed neck disability index (NDI), and the visual analogue scale (VAS) of neck and arm pain show comparable results to the literature of ACDF, and specifically other plate designs. Forty-eight Adverse and Serious Adverse Events do not show a link to the product used. Clinical and radiological outcomes of ACDF with dynamic, third generation cervical plates show comparable results to the literature. Careful reporting of all Adverse Events revealed a variety of concomitant diseases, but could not be correlated to the implant used.