Abstract

Objectives: There are several reports about the therapeutic effects of cervical interbody cages for cervical
degenerative disorders. Few have addressed the role of the filling material in fusion and improving the clinical
symptoms. This study tries to study the effects of Novabone as a filling material in Solis cages in patients with
cervical disc protrusions. The results have been compared with the results from studies that used autografts to fill
the cage.
Material & Methods: This study includes patients treated surgically from 2003 to 2007 for cervical discopathy
with anterior fusion technique. We used Solis cage filled with Novabone mixed with autologous bone fragments.
The results for fusion and improvement in axial and radicular pain have been determined and compared with the
results of other studies. Also the complications and radiologic findings have been reviewed.
Results: 33 patients were operated on from 2003-2007, anteriorly using Solis cages filled with Novabone. 19
were men (57.6%) and 14 women (42.4%). The average age was 47.1 y. 23 patients (69.7%) have been operated
on one level and 10 patients (30.3%) were operated on more than one level. 44 cages were inserted. Mean follow
up period was 14.3 months. After one year the fusion rate was 91.3% at one level and 80% in patients with more
than one level and 87.8% overall.
Conclusion: According to our study, the fusion rate with Novabone and autologous bone filled cages were lower
than that achieved in series using autologous bone but it reached the same rate later. It is highly recommended
that the cervical cages be filled with autologous bone or Novabone mixed with patints bone chips.

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