SUMMARY
Although fusion rates are higher with ACDF if supplemented with a plate, plates are associated with higher morbidity and dysphagia. We studied a stand-alone cage with integrated fixation for zero-profile segmental stabilization.We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 32 ACDF patients using titanium screw-secured cages, 13 males, 19 females, aged between 36 and 76 years, (mean 56,5 y). 25 had one-level surgery, 7 two-levels. The most frequently operated levels were C5C6 (22) and C6C7 (13). All patients presented with neck and arm pain, 17 with myelopathy. Nine had predominant soft disc herniation, 22 had more disco-osteophytic compression and one had pseudarthrosis. The patients were evaluated for early post-operative complications, subsidence, screw loosening, migration and fusion by ROM assessment on dynamic lateral Xrays after 6 months.We observed two cases of minimal subsidence, two mild transient dysphagias, one superficial infection, no screw loosening, and no migration. Bridging bone was observed in 27 levels (93%). 77,3% of the patients showed solid fusion, 18,2% ongoing fusion, and 4,5% had signs of failed fusionPerforming ACDF with the Scarlet AC-T cervical secured, we observed no implant related complication. Solid or ongoing fusion was observed in 95,5 % of the operated levels after 6 months.