A comparison of a self-locking stand-alone cage and anterior cervical plate for ACDF: Minimum 3-year assessment of radiographic and clinical outcomes

The self-locking stand-alone cage has been clinically applied in treating cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD). However, no long-term clinical and radiographic studies have been performed so far. This retrospective study was designed to analyze and compare the efficacy and outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using self-locking stand-alone cages and cages with the anterior cervical plating system.A total of 98 consecutive patients were recruited in this study. Patients in the cage group were given stand-alone self-locking cages, and patients in the plate group were treated with cages and anterior plate fixation. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss and complications were recorded. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the JOA scoring system, Neck Disability Index and Odom's criteria. The cervical lordosis, subsidence and cervical fusion status were assessed by X-ray and computed tomography.The mean follow-up period was 39.7 months in the cage group and 42.2 months in the plate group. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative dysphagia, sore throat and adjacent segment degeneration in the cage group were significantly less than those in the plate group (p < 0.05). All the patients in both groups achieved complete interbody fusion. Postoperative JOA and NDI scores in both groups were obviously improved compared with the preoperative ones. The postoperative cervical lordosis was effectively restored in both groups.The self-locking stand-alone cage for ACDF could effectively restore the cervical physiological curvature, cause few complications, and lead to satisfactory outcomes. Therefore, it could be used as an effective and reliable treatment for the CDDD.