Use of the PEEK cage for treatment of cervical spondylosis

Background: Decompression and fusion with autograft is the gold standard technique in the treatment of narrowing of the cervical canal. Using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages or nonabsorbable polymer boxes with elasticity similar to bone, radiolucent, and the same degree of fusion reduces morbidity. methods: We carried out a prospective, longitudinal, deliberate intervention case series with evaluation panel before and after 2 years follow-up. Discectomy and PEEK housing placement were done with autologous graft. Arthrodesis, cervical lordosis, intervertebral space height, and pain were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale, Neck Disability Index, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay and complications. Statistical analysis was done with Student t, Wilcoxon and Fishers exact test. results: Of 17 patients studied, nine (53%) were female with an average age of 62 years. The most affected level was C5-6, C6-7 with five patients. Fusion rate was 100%. No collapse or migration of the box was noted. Disc space height was conserved, but segmental lordosis was not. Clinical improvement was demonstrated in all patients as well as disability index. Bleeding was on average of 187 ml. Conclusion: Symptom decrease, conservation of the height of the anterior and posterior space, no conservation of segmental lordosis and fusion with PEEK cage were in accordance with what has been reported in the literature. We suggest using an anterior plate to maintain cervical lordosis. We found a fusion rate of 100% and clinical improvement of symptoms, pain and disability. There was loss of global cervical lordosis.