Disc prosthesis replacement and interbody fusion in the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disease: comparative analysis of 176 consecutive cases

The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to determine whether disc prosthesis replacement can be equivalent or superior compared with the disc interbody fusion. Between January, 2005 and June, 2011 we performed microdiscetomy by the anterior approach in 176 patients. We subdivided the total set of patients into two groups. Group A is made up of 84 patients in whom the prosthetic disc was implanted; Group B is made up of 92 patients in whom disc fusion was performed. In both groups, the radicular pain disappeared and the signs of spinal cord compression improved or remained stable. Patients of Group A required significantly fewer days of hospitalization and shorter absence from work, and had significant lower scores in the Neck Disability Index (NDI) at 12 months. Our experience demonstrates that the use of disc prosthesis is a safe and effective alternative to interbody fusion.