Similar clinical results seen with stand-alone cages vs anterior plating for ACDF

ORLANDO, Fla. — Research presented here showed similar clinical outcomes, costs and survivorship rates at short-term follow-up for patients with a degenerative spinal pathology treated with either stand-alone cages or anterior plating for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

“Providers and patients can expect comparable outcomes and survival up to at least 2 years,” Ehsan Tabaraee, MD, said during a presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting. “Hospitals and administration can expect similar expenditures, unlike a lot of techniques that have newer technology. Overall, selection depends on an informed decision between the patient and the surgeon.”

The retrospective cohort analysis included 93 patients, of which 52 patients underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with a stand-alone cage system. According to Tabaraee, the cohorts had similar demographics, BMI, smoking status, comorbidity burdens and preoperative VAS scores.

The estimated blood loss in the stand-alone cohort was significantly less than that in the ACDF and anterior plating cohort, but no patient required a transfusion, he said. Radiographic outcomes, length of stay, postoperative VAS scores, complication rates, 1-year arthrodesis rates and reoperation rates were similar between the cohorts, Tabaraee noted. – by Robert Linnehan.

Reference: Tabaraee E, et al. Paper #49. Presented at: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; March 1-5, 2016; Orlando, Fla.

Disclosure: Tabaraee reports no relevant financial disclosures.