Biomechanics of a novel artificial cervical vertebra from an in vivo caprine cervical spine non-fusion model.

Objective: Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) has been widely used in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) but is accompanied by unavoidable motion loss and destruction of vertebra. We aim to evaluate the range of motion (ROM) of caprine cervical spine constructs implanted with cervical artificial disc and vertebra system (ADVS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical properties of the ADVS from an in vivo caprine cervical spine non-fusion model.

Methods: Twelve goats were randomly divided into ADVS or control group, with 6 animals in each group. The animals in the ADVS group were implanted with ADVS at the C level. The cervical spine constructs were harvested 6 months after the operation. The ROM of cervical spine specimens in the ADVS group was recorded. Biomechanical testing of the specimens in the control group were conducted to evaluate the ROM of the cervical spine specimens under intact and fixed condition (C-C) by an anterior plate, respectively.

Results: The biomechanical outcomes showed that the ROM of the levels (C-C) implanted with ADVS was maintained. The ROM in the adjacent level (C) did not increase significantly comparing with intact group.

Conclusions: In general, ADVS could preserve the ROM of operative levels and could reconstruct the height of the vertebra. ADVS did not increase the ROM of upper adjacent level. This device provides a non-fusion method for the treatment of patients suffering from CSM. However, improvements on the design of ADVS are still needed.

Translational Potential Statement: This study introduced a novel cervical spinal implant, which was designed to have the ability of motion preservation and vertebra construction. Our study provided a non-fusion procedure in the treatment of CSM after ACCF.