Three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion saw stronger outcomes when supplemented with a circumferential cervical fusion using an investigational posterior cervical stabilization system, a study in Spine found.
Five things to know:
1. The multicenter study, published in the September 1 issue of Spine, compared outcomes in ACDF alone and with circumferential cervical fusion patients who have three-level symptomatic cervical disc degeneration.
2. A total 202 participants with 12-month outcomes and 116 participants with 24-month outcomes were included. Twelve-month fusion success was higher in the CCF group than the ACDF group.
3. At 24 months the secondary endpoint; a composite of fusion success, neck disability index, neurological status success, and freedom from surgical revision; was more improved with CCF compared to ACDF.
4. Revision rates were lower for CCF patients (2%) compared to ACDF (23%). Adding supplemental posterior cervical fusion with an investigational system didn’t increase the rates of adverse events.
5. The study concluded, “This study represents the first randomized controlled trial assessing treatment of three-level cervical disc disease. Long-segment ACDF demonstrated low fusion rates and high rates of revision. Adding supplemental PCF with PCSS improved fusion without increasing the risk of surgical complications.”
