Cervical Total Disk Replacement: Available Implant Size Matters

This study was a post hoc analysis of data collected from 2 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) trials. Objective: The purposes of this study were to: (1) measure disk space heights adjacent to the level to be treated with a total disk replacement (TDR); (2) analyze cervical disk space heights to be replaced with TDR; and (3) investigate the frequency of use of a smaller height TDR when available. Summary of Background Data: Cervical TDR produces outcomes noninferior or superior to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. While the restoration of the height of a collapsed, degenerated disk is a surgical goal, there are potential problems with overdistracting the segment with an implant. Methods: Disk heights were measured using radiographs from the 1-level Simplify Cervical Artificial Disk IDE trial, producing values for 259 levels adjacent to the treated level and 162 treated levels. The device is available in 4, 5, and 6 mm heights. The 4 mm height became available only after treatment was 13% complete in the single-level trial and was available for all of the 2-level trial. Results: Measurements of 259 adjacent levels found that 55.2% of disk spaces had a height of
Source: Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques - Category: Surgery Tags: Cervical Spine Research Society Focus Issue: Primary Research Source Type: research