Comparison of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage and cervical disc prostheses used in anterior cervical microscopic discectomy operations

Abstract

Bahadir Alkan, Murat Cosar, Mustafa Guven, Adem Bozkurt Aras, Tarik Akman

Objective: The aim of this study was to radiologically and clinically compare the polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage and cervical disc prostheses used in anterior cervical microdiscectomy operations during the postoperative period. Methods: The study evaluated 25 cervical disc hernia patients. The cervical disc prosthesis group (Group A) comprised 10 patients while the PEEK cage group (Group B) comprised 15 patients. Before and after the operation, the cervical graphics from radiological monitoring and VAS, NDI and Odom scores from clinical monitoring were used. The patients’ preoperative and postoperative cervical graphics disc height, cervical axis and segmental angles were evaluated to determine statistical relationships with neurological situation and quality of life. Results: In the cervical disc prosthesis group (Group A) in the early postoperative period (3rd week), 3rd month and late period (18-36 months), the intervertebral disc height measurements were signifcantly higher than the cervical PEEK cage group (Group B) (early p0.05). Clinical evaluation of the patients found no statistical diference in the evaluation of VAS, NDI or Odom scores of the two groups before and after the operation. Conclusion: It was shown that in the cervical disc prosthesis group (Group A) in the early and later postoperative period, intervertebral disk heights were preserved by a statistically signifcant amount compared to the PEEK cage group (Group B). However, this scenario did not create any signifcant diference in the clinical evaluation results.