Surgical Outcomes of Single-Level Stand-Alone Cage Use in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Abstract

Objective:  To test clinical and radiological outcomes of single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) without anterior plating using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage as a stand-alone cage.

Materials and Methods:  This retrospective study included 24 patients who underwent single-level ACDF between May 2024 and July 2025, with 12 12-month follow-up. All the surgeries were anterior, and PEEK cages were autologous bone-filled. They employed a team that measured the functional outcome of Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL). Fusion, subsidence, and alignment were the radiological results. An analysis involving 22.0 SPSS was used, and p < 0.05 was the cutoff point.

Results:  A complete population was maintained for a period of 12 months. At radiograph- 100 percent in fusion. The NDI and VAS scores improved significantly (21.05, 8.10, and 2.25, 1.12, respectively). The assessment of the level of SWAL-QOL was low, and its expression was through dysphagia during follow-up. Subsidence >2 mm with clinical significance was observed in two patients (8.3%). One case (4.2%) of pseudarthrosis and two cases (8.3%) of transient adjacent level radiculopathy were recorded, and no infections were registered, with no reoperations being observed.

Conclusion:  Single-level ACDF with the use of standalone cages gives good fusion, improved clinical results, and a low complication rate. Morbidity can subsequently be reduced after the surgery by foregoing anterior plating.