Titanium cage reconstruction after cervical corpectomy

Abstract

Object The authors evaluated the efficacy of titanium cage— and anterior cervical plate (ACP)—augmented fusion for reconstruction following decompressive cervical corpectomy in nontraumatic disease. Methods Forty-five patients ranging from 37 to 77 years of age underwent anterior cervical corpectomy followed by titanium cage—assisted reconstruction in which the cages were filled with autologous bone obtained from the resected vertebral bodies (VBs). Plates were placed in all patients. Follow-up radiographic evaluation included computerized tomography scanning and plain flexion—extension radiography. Fusion was demonstrated in all but one patient without reconstruction-related complications. The single complication involved an endplate VB fracture with pistoning of the cage into the VB. The mean follow-up period was 12.9 months. Conclusions Autologous corpectomy bone—filled titanium cages supplemented with ACPs are an effective means of reconstruction after compressive cervical corpectomy. This technique provides a reasonable alternative to procedures involving long solid strut grafts obtained from the bone bank or from the patient.