| 摘要 |
Anterior cervical spine operation with interbody grafting has been well known for over forty years in the treatment of diseased intervertebral discs, osteophytic compression or cervical spine injury. Several kinds of graft material have been used in cervical arthrodesis, and most surgeons prefer a graft taken from the iliac crest of the patient. However, the problems related to the iliac graft such as pain, hematoma, infection or fracture of the donor site have led a number of surgeons to start using allografts, heterografts or synthetic grafts. The Biocompatible Osteocon-ductive Polymer (B.O.P.), one of the synthetic grafts, was reported to be an excellent substitiute for interbody grafts in parts other than the cervical spine and was introduced into Taiwan in 1992. The authors reviewed 83 patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomies and interbody fusions with B.O.P. grafts over a 3-year follow-up, and have attempted to determine whether the overall benefit surpasses the potential risk from using such grafts. The present study as well as reports from other authors shows that advantages of the B.O.P. graft are its firm strength, biocompatibility and availability. But it appears that the incidence of complications such as collapes of vertebral bodies due to aggressive decortication or graft dislodg-ments due to delayed union is higher in patients applied with B.O.P. grafts than those with iliac grafts. As regards the choice of a graft material in anterior cervical fusion, the authors are firmly convinced that the B.O.P. graft is not the first choice even though it has some advantages. |
