OBJECTIVETo compare the short-term efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF) with traditional nail plate system and Zero-profile device in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM).

METHODSThe clinical data of 45 patients with CSM treated from July 2014 to August 2015 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 23 males and 22 females with an average age of 53.7 years old(range, 32 to 71 years old). The course of disease was 5 months to 2 years. All the patients were treated with ACDF with 24 cases by traditional nail plate system fixation(group A) and 21 cases by Zero-P system fixation(group B). Operation time and intraoperative bleeding were compared between two groups. Neurological function and cervical pain were evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores (JOA) and visual analogue scale (VAS), respectively. Cervical curvature(Cobb angle) change and intervertebral fusion were evaluated by X-rays and CT. And associated complications were analyzed in two groups.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up for 12 to 16 months with an average of 14 months. Operation time of group A and B was(87.6±23.2) min and (62.7±17.3) min respectively, and the difference was significant between two groups; and intraoperative bleeding was (80.2±36.8) ml and (78.4±29.6) ml respectively, and the difference was not significant. At final follow-up, JOA and VAS of all patients were obvious improved, but there was no significant difference between two groups. Preoperative Cobb angle in group A and B was (8.7±4.3) ° and (8.6±4.2) ° respectively, and the difference was significant. The Cobb angle at final follow-up was (14.5±6.4) ° and (17.4±8.6) ° respectively, and the difference between two groups was significant. The incidence of dysphagia in group A and B were 29.17% and 9.52% respectively, and there was significant difference between two groups. All intervertebral spaces got fusion at final follow-up. No tracheo-asophageal injury and recurrent laryngeal nerve damage or other complications were found. No fusional migration, subsidence, loosening, breakage, etc. were found.

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical comparison of Zero-P interbody fixation system and cervical plate internal fixation for the treatment of cervical spondylosis was quite fair, but Zero-P showed a better therapeutic effect with improvement of life quality.