Abstract:

BACKGROUND: In vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymer is the best cervical fusion cage material due to its good biocompatibility, elastic modulus similar to human bone, and satisfactory plasticity and hardness. 
OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage filled with nano-artificial bone following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
METHODS: In total 17 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were collected from the Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between May 2007 and September 2009. There were 12 males and 5 females, averaging 55 (range 42-67) years of age. All patients underwent ACDF using PEEK cage filled with nano-artificial bone. Patients’ neurological functions were assessed on the basis of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system. The distance between the midpoint of the upper end plate and lower end plate was measured as interboby height. Radiographs with the neck in lateral flexion and extension were obtained to evaluate fusion results.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Seventeen patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy participated in the final analysis. Almost all patients had symptomatic improvement. Within postoperative several days, muscle strength of lower limb was increased, and limb was more flexible after surgery than prior to surgery. At 3 months after surgery, JOA scores were significantly increased compared to prior to surgery, the operated segments were stable and disc space height was satisfactory. In addition, no complications were found, and all cases achieved solid fusion, as confirmed by radiographs. These findings suggest that the immediate stability of the operated segments can be obtained by anchoring PEEK cage, and the nano-artificial bone-filled PEEK cage is safe, simple, and with relatively few complications. It is therefore a good choice for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.