Study of the Role of Nova Bone as a Filling Material in Cervical Cage in Anterior Fusion of Cervical Spine in Patients with Degenerative Cervical Disc Disease

Objectives: There are several reports about the therapeutic effects of cervical interbody cages for cervical degenerative disorders. Few have addressed the role of the filling material in fusion and improving the clinical symptoms. This study tries to study the effects of Novabone as a filling material in Solis cages in patients with cervical disc protrusions. The results have been compared with the results from studies that used autografts to fill the cage. Material & Methods: This study includes patients treated surgically from 2003 to 2007 for cervical discopathy with anterior fusion technique. We used Solis cage filled with Novabone mixed with autologous bone fragments. The results for fusion and improvement in axial and radicular pain have been determined and compared with the results of other studies. Also the complications and radiologic findings have been reviewed. Results: 33 patients were operated on from 2003-2007, anteriorly using Solis cages filled with Novabone. 19 were men (57.6%) and 14 women (42.4%). The average age was 47.1 y. 23 patients (69.7%) have been operated on one level and 10 patients (30.3%) were operated on more than one level. 44 cages were inserted. Mean follow up period was 14.3 months. After one year the fusion rate was 91.3% at one level and 80% in patients with more than one level and 87.8% overall. Conclusion: According to our study, the fusion rate with Novabone and autologous bone filled cages were lower than that achieved in series using autologous bone but it reached the same rate later. It is highly recommended that the cervical cages be filled with autologous bone or Novabone mixed with patints bone chips.