The use of freeze-dried fibular allograft in anterior cervical fusion.

Abstract

Eighty-three segmental fusions were performed on 42 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with freeze-dried fibular allograft for cervical spondylosis. Fusions were carried out over one to four levels. The mean follow-up period was 22.1 months (range, 9-47 months). The patients had both clinical and radiographic follow-up. Eighty-eight percent of the patients were found to have excellent or good clinical results. Radiographic follow-up revealed that 92% of the grafts obtained complete or partial union by 6 months after surgery. Forty patients were shown to be radiographically stable on lateral flexion and extension films by 8 weeks after surgery. The use of freeze-dried fibular allograft is a safe and efficacious procedure.