OBJECT: The authors evaluate the effects of implantation of a @entity505 fiber cage after @entity4048 ( @entity4048 ) on the height of the foramen and the angulation between endplates of the disc space. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive @entity1 who were scheduled for standard microscopic @entity4048 and interbody fusion underwent thin-slice (1.5 mm) spiral computerized tomography scanning 1 day preoperatively, 1 day postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively. Oblique sagittal reconstructions were made through both foramina; the height of each foramen and the angle between the endplates were measured. Because 16 cages were implanted, 32 foramina were investigated. Preoperatively, the mean height of the foramina (+/- standard deviation) was 8.1 +/- 1.5 mm (range 5.7-12 mm), and at I day postoperatively it was 9.7 +/- 1.4 mm (range 7.5-12.8 mm). This difference reached statistical significance (p < 0.0005). The mean foraminal height after 1 year was 9.4 +/- 1.4 mm (range 6.9-12.7 mm). In terms of the preoperative value, the 1-year measurement still reached statistical difference (p < 0.005) but not with the direct postoperative mean foraminal height. Preoperatively the mean value of the angle between the two adjacent endplates was 1.3 +/- 2.4 degrees (range 0-8 degrees), and postoperatively it was 7.8 +/- 2.9 degrees (rauge 2-12 degrees), which was statistically significant (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The cervical @entity505 fiber cage effectively increased the height of the foramen even after 1 year, which contributed to decompression of the nerve root. The wedge shape of the device may contribute to restoration of @entity1515 .

Height of cervical foramina after anterior discectomy and implantation of a XXXX fiber cage.

@entity505 :: ('MESH:D002244', 'Chemical') :: ['carbon'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity1515 :: ('MESH:D008141', 'Disease') :: ['lordosis'] @entity4048 :: ('MESH:D019547', 'Disease') :: ['anterior cervical discectomy', 'ACD']
@entity505 :: (MESH:D002244,Chemical) :: ['carbon']
