A new study published in The Spine Journal examined the long term outcomes for the Prestige LP artificial cervical disc for two level procedures.
The study authors examined 209 patients who underwent artificial disc replacement with the Prestige LP and 188 patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at two levels. The patients were followed for 84 months. Here are the key findings:
1. The artificial disc replacement patients had superior success rates compared with the fusion patients; 78.6 percent of the disc replacement patients were reported as successful compared with 62.7 percent of the fusion patients.
2. Disc replacement patients reported superior outcomes for Neck Disability Index scores and neurologic success:
• NDI success: 87 percent of disc replacement patients
• NDI success: 75.6 percent of fusion patients
• Neurological success: 91.6 percent of disc replacement patients
• Neurological success: 82.1 percent of patients
3. There wasn't a significant difference in the overall implant related or procedure related adverse events at the final follow-up.
4. The Prestige LP disc had fewer associated serious implant and procedure related adverse events — 3.2 percent — compared with 7.2 percent of the fusion patients.
5. The disc replacement patients were less likely to undergo additional surgery at the index levels than the fusion patients. Four percent of the disc replacement patients underwent additional procedures at the index level, compared with 14.7 percent of fusion patients.
6. Disc replacement maintained angular range of motion at the superior and inferior treated levels at the final follow up.
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