Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) are performed for decompression of the spine when the primary compressive pathology lies anterior to the spinal cord – prolapsed intervertebral discs (PID), ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), spondylodiscitis and retropulsion of fractured bony fragments. More specifically, ACDF is preferred for discal and retrodiscal pathology, whereas ACCF is indicated for retrovertebral pathology. When 2 consecutive levels of fusion are required, some authors have proposed the feasibility of ACCF to achieve 2 fusion surfaces rather than 4 fusion surfaces. Current literature shows similar clinical outcomes between the 2 methods. It is noted, however, that the fusion methods were heterogenous in some studies when they were studying only 2 consecutive levels of fusion. Other studies compared ACCF versus ACDF with varied levels of fusion within each arm. We hypothesise that by using cages for both ACCF and ACDF in this matched-paired study, we would be able to better compare the intermediate term results and complications of 1-level ACCF versus 2-level ACDF.
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