Abstract
This study aimed to assess clinical and radiological outcomes associated with zero-profile stand-alone cages with instrumentation used for single- and multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) operations. Many plate-cage ACDF systems have proven to be successful in producing high fusion rates and positive clinical outcomes. However, the anterior plating in traditional systems has been associated with complications such as dysphagia and mechanical accidents. A total of 190 patients underwent single- or multilevel ACDF surgeries with zero-profile polyetheretherketone cages containing integrated titanium instrumentation and screw fixation (one-level, n=31; two-level, n=65; three-level, n=71; four-level, n=23). Demographic information such as age and smoking status as well as postoperative outcomes were collected and analysed. Out of the 190 patients who underwent ACDF surgeries with a zero-profile stand-alone cage, none experienced any conditions or infections, and zero were readmitted postoperatively. Although traditional plate-cage systems yield high fusion rates in ACDF surgeries, zero-profile systems with integrated fixation have showcased impressive clinical and radiographic results in both single- and multilevel operations.