ANTERIOR LOW CERVICAL SPINE INTERBODY FUSION WITH POROUS BIOCERAMIC IMPLANT

Objective. To analyze results of the anterior spinal fusion with an interbody implant of nanostructured porous alumina ceramic in patients with degenerative diseases of the spine.

Material and Methods. Clinical trial included surgical treatment of three patients aged 28-46 years with cervical intervertebral disc disease and severe pain in the neck and upper extremity. A developed porous bioceramic implant was installed in the lower cervical spine through a classical anterior approach. The follow-up examination was carried out at 3, 6 and 12 months after operation.

Results. Patients had a regression of pain in the early postoperative period due to adequate decompression and stabilization at the level of the affected spinal segment. Sagittal size of the spinal canal at this level increased from 9.2 ± 0.3 mm to 10.1 ± 0.8 mm. Pain in the neck and arm disappeared completely in two patients after three months and in one patient after six months, The final follow-up showed the full motion recovery and the absence of sensitivity disorders.

Conclusion. The use of porous ceramic interbody fixator allows maintaining relationships in the spinal segment for the entire period of the bone block formation. To assess adequately the spinal cord structures is advisable to use the fixing devices of this material not producing artifacts in MRI. 

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