Preliminary Experiences with Interbody Titanium Cage(RABEA(TM)) Fusion in Patients with Degenerative Cervical Disease.

Lee, Kil Yong; Kim, Tae Sung; Koh, Jun Seok; Lim, Young Jin; Kim, Gook Ki; Rhee, Bong Arm

Original Article

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2004;36(4): 291-296.

Kil Yong Lee, Tae Sung Kim, Jun Seok Koh, Young Jin Lim, Gook Ki Kim, Bong Arm Rhee

Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Kyung-Hee University, Seoul, Korea. vdragon@freechal.com

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cervical interbody fusion with implantable titanium cage(RABEA(TM)). The authors retrospectively analysis the result of application of cervical hollow cage(RABEA(TM)) without bone graft to the patients of degenerative cervical disease. METHODS: 78 patients with radiculopathy with or without myelopathy due to degenerative cervical diseases were underwent anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion with titanium cages(RABEA(TM)) which were not filled with autogenous bone from June 1999 to December 2002. Among them, 33 patients could be followed-up for at least 6 months. Mean follow-up period was 13.3 months(ranged 6-30 months). RESULTS: Good or excellent results were found in approximately 82.0%. Preoperatively, the mean height of the disc space was 4.27mm(range 3~6mm), and at 1 day postoperatively it was 7.87mm(range 7~9mm). The mean height of the disc space after 1 year was 6.07mm(range 1~8mm). Due to subsidence of cage, 7 patients showed decrease of disc space height to preoperative disc space height. Among them, 1 patients showed poor results. A solid fusion was achieved in all patients. In this context, causes of subsidence are represented by osteoporosis and degree of cage recess.
CONCLUSION
Titanium cages appear safe and effective in the treatment of degenerative cervical disease. But subsidence of cage, so far limited in number, appeared to be important risk factor for recurrence of the symptoms.

Key Words: Titanium cage; RABEA; Interbody fusion; Degenerative cervical disease