anterior interbody fusion for cervical spine disease may not provide adequate immediate stabilization, but anterior cervical spine plating has overcome this main disadvantage. Between August 1991 and August 1992, twenty patients with a variety of
cervical spine abnormalities were treated by anterior cervical spine fusion with the Caspar plate system. Fourteen patients had traumatic fracture and/or dislocation, three had infection (including two tuberculous spondylitis), two had
degenerative
spondylosis, and on had metastatic tumor. Single level fusion was accomplished in six patients, two-level fusion in leven patients, and three-level fusion in three patients. Among seventeen patients with an incomplete transverse lesion or neck
pain, all
patients showed some recovery at discharge except two patients with Frankel grade D. Complications included screw loosening (one patient), dysphagia (one patient, which subsided after removal of the plate), and transient neurological worsening
(one
patient). All patients had good bony fusion except one which had screw lcosening. Careful attention to surgical technique is needed to assure good results.
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