Long-term Follow-Up Results of Dynamic Cervical Implant in Patients with Cervical Disc Diseases: Compared with Prestige LP.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Prestige LP arthroplasty has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with cervical disc degenerative disease (DDD). Dynamic Cervical Implant (DCI) has emerged as a novel implantation device for cervical DDD. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of these procedures after 5 years of follow-up in the DCI and Prestige LP groups. Key words: cervical disc degenerative disease; cervical disc replacement; Dynamic Cervical Implant; Prestige LP Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 79 consecutive cervical DDD patients with 41 DCI and 47 Prestige LP prostheses implanted. Radiographs were analyzed for intervertebral height and range of motion (ROM). Neural function of the participants was assessed using the Neck Disability Index score, Visual Analog Scale, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and 36-Item Short Form Survey. RESULTS The DCI group had statistically lesser flexion/extension and bilateral bending ROM than the Prestige LP group at the operated level(s) (p<0.05). The DCI group showed improved lordotic alignment of C2-C7 and operated functional spinal unit than the Prestige LP group (p<0.05). No statistical difference was observed in the neural function of the two groups. Heterotopic ossification was found in 7 and 14 patients in the DCI and Prestige LP groups, respectively. CONCLUSION The 5 years follow-up results were comparable between the two groups. We believe that DCI implantation is a safe and effective procedure and could possibly become an alternative treatment for cervical DDD.