Bioactive Glass-Ceramic (NOVOMAX<sup>®</sup>) Spacer for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up Study

Objective This was a prospective study to compare anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using a synthetic bioactive glass-ceramic spacer (NOVOMAX®) and allograft spacer by evaluating the clinical and radiologic results. Methods In total, 51 patients were prospectively enrolled with cervical degenerative disc disease who requiring ACDF. Seventeen patients were enrolled who underwent ACDF with NOVOMAX® spacer (Group 2) study group, and 34 patients were enrolled who underwent ACDF with allograft spacer (Group 1). Both groups were fixed with a cervical locking plate. Plain X-ray and computed tomographic scans were performed 12 and 24 months later after surgery to evaluate the status of bone fusion. Clinical outcome was assessed using the neck disability index (NDI) and the Visual analogue scale (VAS). Results The 32 levels (100%) in Group 2 and 46 levels (97.8%) in Group 1 were confirmed as fused at 24 months. There was no significant difference between the fusion rates observed in both groups (p=0.82). In Group 1, allograft spacer related complications occurred in 34 cases (74%), whereas in 6 cases in Group 2 (19%). There was no significant difference in NDI, or VAS scores at 24 months follow-up. Conclusion ACDF using NOVOMAX® spacer well maintains the height of the intervertebral space of the operative segment as well as the decompression of neural structure and is recommended as surgical treatment of safe and efficient degenerative cervical disc disease which can expect stable radiological results. Key words: Ceramics; Glass ceramics; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Spinal fusion