ABSTRACT

Background:

This retrospectively designed study investigates the relation between clinical and radiological results of patients who were performed ACD and autologous interbody fat graft.

Material and Methods:

A total of 71 patients who underwent ACD with IFG in Neurosurgery Clinics of Şişli Etfal EAH between 1994 and 2009 were included in this study. Patients age range was between 28 and 56 years with the mean of 41,08±6,67. Patient population was composed of 25 women and 46 men. All the operations were performed by the senior authors (YA). The surgery was applied to 1 or 2 level soft cervical disc herniations. Selected patients have one of the following criteria: 1. Radicular signs as motor weakness, dermatomal numbness etc., 2. Long tract signs, and 3. Refractory or persistent pain to minimum 3 weeks medical treatment. Harrison’s posterior tangent method used for ROM measurement on dynamic roentgenograms. Segmental ROM was measured by the same method at the operated vertebral level.

Pain and functional evaluation:

Neck Disability Index (NDI) (2) and Short Form 36 (SF- 36) (3) were used for functional and pain status of the patients.

Results:

Segmental and cervical total lordosis angles are not change statistically after operation. Radiologically detected fusion or developing kyphotic deformity is not seen. ROM levels changed significantly in long-term period. NDI scores decreased significantly early and late period. SF-36 results are increased significantly in long-term follow-up.

Conclusions:

Microsurgical technique and autologous interbody fat graft may prevent complication of fusion such as adjacent segment degeneration. Contralateral approach provides better visualization.