Disc prosthesis replacement and interbody fusion in the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease: comparative analysis of 176 consecutive cases.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to determine whether disc prosthesis replacement can be equivalent or superior compared with the disc interbody fusion.

Methods: Between January, 2005 and June, 2011 we performed microdiscetomy by the anterior approach in 176 patients. We subdivided the total set of patients into two groups. Group A is made up of 84 patients in whom the prosthetic disc was implanted; Group B is made up of 92 patients in whom disc fusion was performed.

Results: In both groups, the radicular pain disappeared and the signs of spinal cord compression improved or remained stable. Patients of Group A required significantly fewer days of hospitalization and shorter absence from work, and had significant lower scores in the Neck Disability Index (NDI) at 12 months.

Conclusions: Our experience demonstrates that the use of disc prosthesis is a safe and effective alternative to interbody fusion.