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Subject Area

Neurosurgery

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has emerged as an alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), aiming to preserve segmental motion and reduce adjacent segment disease (ASD). However, evidence regarding its superiority remains controversial. This study was designed to relate ACDF and CDA following anterior cervical discectomy with respect to safety, efficacy, and impact on patient lifestyle.

Methods: This retrospective comparative study included 36 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy between August 2021 and September 2024. Twenty patients underwent ACDF (Group A), and sixteen patients underwent CDA (Group B). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) preoperatively and at a mean follow-up of 12 months. Radiological evaluation included cervical spine X-rays and MRI to assess implant position and adjacent segment pathology.

Results: In Group A, postoperative advancements in VAS and NDI scores were statistically significant (P < 0.001), with VAS decreasing from 8± 1.03 to 2± 0.79 and NDI decreasing from 29.5± 2.95 to 12± 2.22. In contrast, Group B showed more modest changes, with VAS decreasing from 8.06± 1.06 to 2 ± 0.82 and NDI decreasing from 28.72 ± 2.77 to 9.62 ± 2.22. Symptomatic ASD occurred in 5 participants (20%) in Group A, whereas no cases were observed in Group B.

Conclusion: Both ACDF and CDA were associated with significant clinical improvement. CDA was associated with better functional outcomes and a lower incidence of symptomatic adjacent-segment disease during follow-up.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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