The anterior cervical interbody fusion may not provide adequately immediate stabilization, whereas anterior cervical spine plating has overcome this main disadvantage. But various complications related to cervical spine plating system were also reported. In variable cervical pathologic conditions, the adequate intervertebral disc space height and lordotic curvature are the major factor for satisfactory outcome. The authors investigated the changes of the intervertebral height and lordotic curvature in anterior cervical fusion with the Plate Cage of Benezech (PCB) implant.

From May 1999 to April 2001, 15 patients with cervical spine disorders [herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), spondylosis & trauma] were underwent anterior cervical spine fusion with the PCB implant (cervical plate cage system). Single level fusion was accomplished in 9 patients and two level fusion in 6 patients. The radiographic data (height of intervertebtal disc and lordotic angles) were obtained retrospectively from routine clinical radiographes preoperatively, immediatepostoperatively, and at 18-25 months postoperatively. The mean follow-up period was 20 months.

All patients show some improvement of their symptoms. The height of intervertebral disc was significantly increased from 5.2 mm preoperatively to 8.2 mm at last follow-up. The average increasement of lordotic angle of the entire cervical spine was 12.3° and Cobb angle was 7.8°. The increased height of intervertebral disc and lordotic angles were maintained throughout the follow-up period.

We think that maintenance of the intervertebral disc height and cervical lordosis is one of the important factors for good prognosis, and that PCB implant can be considered to be one of the useful hardware for anterior cervical spine fusion in variable cervical spine disorders.