Cervical disc replacement with polyetheretherketone cages: clinical experience with 151 cases

Background: there is active debate amongst surgeons regarding best available method for cervical inter-body fusion. this study evaluates success of disc replacement with polyetheretherketone (peek) cage in patients operated for cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy.methods: this case series was conducted between 2008 and 2012 during which 151 patients were treated with cervical inter-body fusion with peek cages. peek cages were packed with cancellous bone taken from iliac crest. the duration of follow up was 1 year. subsidence,fusion,cage migration,and/or breakage were assessed using serial cervical x-rays.results: mean age was 42.6 years with standard deviation of 9.37. no implant insufficiency was observed in any case while fusion rate was 100%.conclusion: many techniques and materials are available for use in vertebral inter-body fusion. the use of peek cage seems to be a good alternative in that it has minimal complications and gives excellent results in skilled hands and gives results comparable to other options.