['In vitro biomechanical study using a programmable testing apparatus that replicated physiologic flexion/extension cervical spine motion and loading mechanics.', 'To determine the influence of anterior plating on multilevel cervical strut-graft mechanics in vitro.', 'The addition of anterior instrumentation does not prevent construct failure in multilevel cervical corpectomy.', 'Six fresh human cadaveric cervical spines (C2-T1) were tested in the four following sequential conditions: harvested, C4-C6 corpectomy, strut-grafted, and strut-grafted with an anterior cervical plate. A force-sensing strut-graft was used to measure compression/tension, flexion/extension and lateral bending moments, and axial torsion. Parameters of stiffness, vertebral motion, and strut-graft loads were compared to determine differences between the four spine conditions.', 'Application of the anterior plate significantly increased the global stiffness (P < 0.01) and decreased the local motion (P < or = 0.01) of the instrumented levels (C3-C7). Flexion of the strut-grafted spine loaded the strut-graft, whereas extension unloaded the strut-graft. With the anterior plate, flexion of the plated spine unloaded the strut-graft. Extension significantly loaded the strut-graft more than similar degrees of flexion in the strut-grafted condition (P = 0.01). Strut-graft loading end limits of 225 N were reached with a mean 7.5 degrees extension in the plated spines.'] Does anterior cervical plating reverse load transfer through multilevel strut-grafts?