Segmental Height Decrease Adversely Affects Foraminal Height and Cervical Lordosis, But Not Clinical Outcome After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Using Allografts

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to elucidate the clinical significance of postoperative segmental height decrease (SHD) in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using allografts. METHODS: We reviewed 88 patients who underwent ACDF using allografts as interbody spacers. Cervical lordosis, segmental lordosis, segmental height, foraminal height, fusion, allograft fracture, and resorption were assessed. Significant SHD was defined as that >= 2 mm. Neck pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, arm pain VAS score, and Neck Disability Index (NDI) score were also recorded. Significant segmental height decreased (SH-D) segments were compared with segmental height maintained (SH-M) segments. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (36.4%) and 34 segments (23.1%) demonstrated significant SHD. SH-D segments demonstrated significantly lower segmental lordosis (3.7 +/- 4.1 vs. 0.9 +/- 4.8 degrees; P < 0.01), foraminal height (9.6 +/- 1.1 vs. 8.7 +/- 0.9 mm; P < 0.01), and fusion rate (88 [77.9%] vs. 20 [58.9%]; P = 0.04) than SH-M segments at the final follow-up, respectively. Furthermore, global lordosis was significantly lower in the SH-D group (18.3 +/- 8.5 vs. 13.9 +/- 8.9 degrees, respectively; P = 0.02). However, neck and arm pain VAS scores and NDI score did not demonstrate a significant difference between patients with and without significant SHD. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher allograft height (P = 0.03), greater allograft anteroposterior length (P = 0.04), and allograft resorption or fracture (P < 0.01) were associated with increased risk of significant SHD. Logistic regression analysis also demonstrated that allograft resorption or fracture (P < 0.01) was associated with risk of nonunion. CONCLUSIONS: Significant SHD was associated with decreased segmental lordosis, global cervical lordosis, and foraminal height. However, significant SHD did not result in worsening of clinical symptoms. Larger allograft size was associated with risk of significant SHD. This study demonstrates provisional results that suggest allograft resorption or fracture may be a factor that adversely affects fusion or SHD.