Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2024.63.02.12

Patient-reported survey to assess clinical status and surgical outcome after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using an allograft with a fixed angle of inclination

Goran Lakičević ; Department of Neurosurgery, Mostar University Clinical Hospital, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bruno Splavski orcid.org/0000-0002-4483-9364 ; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Neurosurgery, Dubrovnik General Hospital, Dubrovnik, Croatia *
Sandra Lakičević ; Department of Neurology, Mostar University Clinical Hospital, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Krešimir Rotim ; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Neurosurgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Degenerative cervical disc disease can be surgically treated by various procedures,
one of which is anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). It is used to stabilize the spine and
decompress neural structures of the spinal canal. However, measuring its impact on postoperative
clinical status and surgical outcome is difficult. That is the reason why patient-reported surveys are
commonly used to assess clinical status and surgical outcomes. To evaluate the surgical outcomes
of ACDF with an allograft with a fixed angle of inclination at one cervical level, we conducted a
prospective study on 60 patients over one year. We used a structured patient-reported survey based
on the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Odom questionnaire. Most
patients experienced significant reduction in pain intensity in their arms and neck after undergoing
ACDF with a carbon wedged-shaped allograft with a fixed inclination angle of 7º. Th is improvement
was equally represented across all age groups and levels of the cervical spine operated on. Most
patients also experienced a decrease in postoperative disability, as measured by the ODI, regardless
of their age or the level of the cervical spine operated on. The majority of them rated their outcomes
as either excellent or good, which was true across all age groups and levels of the cervical spine. In
conclusion, patient-reported clinical status and outcome surveys are valuable and easy-to-perform
tools for evaluating the quality of life of patients suffering from degenerative cervical disc disease after
ACDF with a carbon cage having a fixed inclination angle.

Keywords

Cervical disc degenerative disease; Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion; Wedge-shaped cage with fixed inclination angle; Patient-reported outcomes

Hrčak ID:

327961

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/327961

Publication date:

31.10.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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