Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42071061›Full record

Observational studyNeurosurgical review2026

Stand-alone porous titanium cages for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: clinical outcomes in a multicenter experience.

Flavio Panico, Stefano Colonna, Marco Bozzaro, Andrea Gatto, Luca Ceroni, Ludovico Maria Comite, Salvatore Petrone, Marco Ajello, Nicola Marengo, Emanuele Bavaresco and 3 more

Abstract readMulticenter StudyObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Neurosurgical review, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion without anchoring: a multicenter comparison of stand-alone porous titanium versus anchored PEEK interbody cages.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Flavio PanicoNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" , "Città della Salute e della Scienza" University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
Stefano ColonnaNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" , "Città della Salute e della Scienza" University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
Marco BozzaroSpine Surgery Unit, Humanitas Gradenigo Hospital, Turin, Italy.
Andrea GattoNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" , "Città della Salute e della Scienza" University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy. andrea.gatto@unito.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-6019-4735
Luca CeroniDepartment of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
Ludovico Maria ComiteSpine Surgery Unit, Humanitas Gradenigo Hospital, Turin, Italy.
Salvatore PetroneNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" , "Città della Salute e della Scienza" University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
Marco AjelloNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" , "Città della Salute e della Scienza" University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
Nicola MarengoNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" , "Città della Salute e della Scienza" University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
Emanuele BavarescoSpine Surgery Unit, Casa di Cura Città di Bra, Bra, Italy.
Nicola ZulloSpine Surgery Unit, Casa di Cura Città di Bra, Bra, Italy.
Diego GarbossaNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" , "Città della Salute e della Scienza" University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
Fabio CofanoNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" , "Città della Salute e della Scienza" University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPorous titanium cages have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional interbody materials in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), potentially enhancing osteointegration while maintaining mechanical stability. This multicenter study evaluates clinical and radiological outcomes following stand-alone ACDF using 3D-printed porous titanium cages.

methodsThis retrospective observational study included 120 patients (mean age 54.8 years) who underwent stand-alone ACDF across three tertiary spine centers. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Short Form-12 (SF-12). Radiological outcomes at 12 months included fusion, subsidence, migration, and sagittal alignment parameters. Fusion assessment at 12 months was performed using CT or dynamic flexion/extension radiographs.

resultsAt 12 months, interbody fusion was achieved in 106 patients (88.3%; 95% CI: 81.4%-92.9%). NRS scores significantly improved (mean reduction 4.2 points; p < 0.001), while SF-12 showed no significant change. Cage subsidence occurred in 7 patients (5.8%), with no cases of migration. Cervical sagittal alignment parameters remained stable over time, with no significant differences after correction for multiple comparisons. No significant associations were identified between preoperative variables and adverse radiological outcomes.

conclusionsStand-alone ACDF with porous titanium cages is associated with high fusion rates, significant pain reduction, and low complication rates at 1 year. These findings support the use of porous titanium cages as a viable option in non-plating cervical fusion strategies, although further comparative studies are warranted to better define their relative performance. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Cervical VertebraeDiskectomySpinal FusionTitaniumAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPorosityRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeTitaniumACDFAnterior cervical discectomy and fusionArthrodesisFusion ratePorous titaniumSpine surgery

Identifiers

PMID42071061
PMCPMC13136205

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.