The aim of this study is to analyse the differences in clinical and radiological
outcome of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical degenerative disease, with
and without the addition of an anterior cervical locking plate.
The outcome
of 54 cases operated between 2015 to 2017 were analysed, and divided
into two groups. The main difference in technique between the two groups was the
addition of an anterior cervical plate. The indications for surgery for both groups was
identical.
We made an attempt to study radiological fusion, clinical outcome between the nonplated
and plated groups. Our main finding is that the addition of an anterior plate reduces
the number of poor clinical outcomes. Anterior discectomy and fusion with plating In our
series had a significantly higher fusion rate, and better axial neck pain outcome compared
to the non-plating group, especialy when operating on three or more cervical levels.
