Anterior cervical fusion with interbody titanium cage containing surgical bone site graft: our institution's experience in 103 consecutive cases of degenerative spondylosis.

The objective of this study is to evaluate whether anterior cervical fusion performed using BAK-C cage is a safe and effective method in the treatment of degenerative cervical disorders. Between 1998 and 2001, a consecutive series of 103 patients underwent anterior cervical fusion with titanium cage for cervical radiculopathy and/or spondylotic myelopathy. All the patients underwent single-level surgery. The mean follow-up period was 4.8 years. Results were evaluated on the basis of Nurick scale, JOA classification, patient satisfaction, fusion status, and degree of cervical lordosis. Patients are seen postoperatively at 2, 12 months, and annually. At the last follow-up the patient satisfaction rate was excellent in 83% of the patients, good in 12%, fair in 3%, and poor in 1%. A solid fusion was achieved in 98.9% of the patients. Preoperative lordosis was maintained in 93.8% of the patients and increased in 6.2%. This study suggests that BAK-C system filled with autologous bone graft for anterior cervical fusion is a safe and effective method, with a good rate of fusion, very high rate of patient satisfaction, and satisfactory clinical outcome.