Biomechanical Comparison of Integrated Fixation Cage Versus Anterior Cervical Plate and Cage in Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion (ACCF): A Finite Element Analysis

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical plate and cage fixation system (ACPC) used in anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) is reported to incur excess complications. This study aimed to introduce integrated fixation cage (IFC) into ACCF to eliminate the anterior cervical plate (ACP)-related complications. MATERIAL/METHODS: One validated intact and 3 ACCF-simulated C3–C7 cervical spine models were developed. In ACCF models, C5 was corpectomied and fixed by IFC or ACPC. For each model, 1.0 Nm moments of flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torsion were imposed on the C3 vertebra. The range of motion (ROM) of each segment and the stress distribution on screw-vertebra interface, bone graft, and cage-endplate were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: ROMs of C3–C7 were not different in any motion condition between IFC and ACPC models. The maximal von Mises stress on screw-vertebra interface of the IFC model was lower than that of the ACPC models in flexion, extension, and lateral bending, but higher in rotation. The maximal von Mises stress on bone graft of the IFC model was higher compared with the ACPC models, except in flexion. The IFC model showed a higher maximal von Mises stress on cage-endplate interface in all motion planes. CONCLUSIONS: Based on finite element analysis, IFC provided identical C3–C7 construct stability as ACPC. Compared with ACPC, IFC showed better biomechanical performance on screw-vertebra interface and bone graft, but worse biomechanical performance on cage-endplate interface.