Comparison of radiological outcomes and complications between single-level and multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) by using a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage–plate fusion system

This study aimed to compare the differences in radiological outcomes and complications between single- and multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) by using a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage–plate fusion system. Fifty-seven patients who underwent ACDF via the PEEK cage–plate fusion system were enrolled and subjected to ≥6 months of follow-up. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to different cage–plate implantation levels: 1-level group (n = 17), 2-level group (n = 24), 3-level group (n = 12), and 4-level group (n = 4). Fusion time, changes in segment and global lordotic angle, subsidence rate, and changes in disc and adjacent segmental disc height were subjected to radiological evaluation. The fusion period of multilevel ACDF was longer than that of single-level ACDF. The fusion period of the 3-level (4.09 ± 0.94, P = .004) and 4-level (5.25 ± 0.89, P = .004) group was also significantly longer than that of the 1-level group. The mean lordotic angle in all of the groups was changed in the immediate postoperative period and in the final follow-up. The cage subsidence rates were 11.76% (2/17) in the 1-level group, 20.83% (5/24) in the 2-level group, and 2/12 (16.67%) in the 3-level group. No subsidence occurred in the 4-level groups. Changes in the lower adjacent segmental disc height were significantly increased in multilevel ACDF compared with those in single-level ACDF. Despite the longer fusion time, the outcomes of the proposed system were even better with the greater number of treatment levels by using PEEK cage–plate fusion system. Changes in the lower adjacent segmental disc height should also prolong follow-up duration to investigate the symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration in multilevel ACDF.