Zero-P and ROI-C implants versus traditional titanium plate with cage to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy: clinical and radiological results with 5 years of follow-up

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the gold standard for treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). While implanting plates in ACDF may increase the risk of complications. Zero-P and ROI-C implants have been gradually applied for CSM. METHODS: 150 patients with CSM were retrospectively analyzed from January 2013 to July 2016. Group A consisted of 56 patients who received traditional titanium plates with cage. 94 patients underwent ACDF using zero-profile implants and were divided into 50 patients with the Zero-P device (Group B) and 44 with the ROI-C device (Group C). Related indicators were measured and compared. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by JOA, VAS, and NDI scores. RESULTS: Compared with group A, group B and C had a less blood loss and shorter operation time. The JOA and VAS scores improved significantly from pre-operative to 3 months postoperative and last follow-up in three groups. The cervical physiological curvature and segmental lordosis at final follow-up were higher than that of pre-operation (p < 0.05). Dysphagia rate, adjacent level degeneration rate, and Osteophyma rate was the highest in group A (p < 0.05). The bone graft fusion was achieved at the final follow-up in three groups. There were no statistical significance in fusion rate and subsidence rate among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: ACDF with Zero-P or ROI-C implants can also obtain satisfactory clinical outcomes compared to traditional titanium plate with cage after 5 years follow-up. The zero-profile implant devices carry a simple operation, short operation time, less intraoperation blood loss, and incidence of dysphagia.