A prospective randomized comparison between the cloward procedure and a carbon fiber cage in the cervical spine: a clinical and radiologic study.

Study Design: A prospective randomized study was conducted.

Objective: To determine whether the use of a cervical carbon fiber intervertebral fusion cage improves the outcome of anterior cervical decompression and fusion, as compared with the Cloward procedure using autograft.

Summary Of Background Data: Despite the theoretical advantages of using intervertebral cages, including reduced donor site morbidity and prevention of graft collapse, an improved clinical outcome has not yet been documented.

Is the efficacy of the Cloward procedure overestimated? Technique of evaluation affects the outcome.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of the evaluation technique on the outcome of the Cloward procedure in cervical radiculopathy. The retrospective study included 94 consecutive patients operated on with anterior decompression and fusion with heterologous bone (Surgibone, Unilab). There were 56 men and 38 women, with a mean age of 48 years (range 27-78 years).

Degenerative changes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion evaluated by fast spin-echo MR imaging.

Purpose: To review pre- and postoperative fast spin-echo (FSE) MR images of disc herniation and spondylosis in patients after spinal cervical surgery.

Material And Methods: Data were reviewed of 68 patients after anterior discectomy and fusion (ADF) operations using the Cloward technique with solid single level (C5-C6 or C6-C7) or 2-level fusions (C5-C7). The average interval from surgery to review was 37 months.