Cervical Anterior Arthrodesis: Autologous or Synthetic Graft?

Abstract

Objective: To compare patients who underwent anterior cervical arthrodesis with autologous iliac crest graft and those who used synthetic graft. Methods: Analysis of 38 patients aged between 18 and 100 years with anterior cervical spondylosis of 1 or 2 levels in a spine surgery service. Results: degenerative cervical spine changes associated with cervicalgia and cervicobrachialgia. Excluded: previous cervical spine surgeries, fractures, or surgery above two levels. Two groups were formed with 19 patients, one using autologous graft and the other using synthetic tricalcium phosphate - a questionnaire assessed satisfaction (Oswestry and VAS) pre- and postoperatively. Bone consolidation was evaluated by tomography at nine months. Results: Mean ODI (Group 1) was 68.5% ± 4.6% preoperatively and 27.2% ± 3.8% postoperatively, being statistically relevant (p<0.001). VAS performed to evaluate the cervical region, Group 1 pre and post-op was considered statistically relevant (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed when comparing the mean values found in the postoperative period between Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.463). Only two patients complained of chronic pain, representing 10% of the total. In nine-month tomography, 100% of patients in Group 1 and 100% of Group 2 showed bone consolidation, with no statistically relevant difference (p=0.676) between the groups. Conclusion: Similar functional and osteointegration outcomes were observed in both types of grafts. Synthetic graft minimizes the risks and complications of using allografts. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective comparative study.