Anterior Cervical Compression System (ACCS)
In the recent past, the anterior cervical plating market has been divided over the issue of semi-constrained systemswhether a semi-constrained system with its assumed benefits is better than one that is constrained. Studies seem to indicate that multilevel constructs may have lesser pseudoarthrosis and non-fusion rates when screws allow an angular rotation. A key factor to consider when creating an improved anterior cervical system is that semi-constrained systems do not compromise on the sufficiently open neural foramen which was created to achieve decompression.
In tests for load sharing of plateswith a full-length graftconstrained plates transmitted 95% of the axial load to the graft, indicating that a locked construct effectively shares load. However, when the graft was shortened by 10%, they did not share any load until 90 N were applied, and at 120 N, it shared only 17% of the load. In multilevel cervical corpectomies, clinical experience seems to indicate that anterior plating does not prevent construct failure. It is conjectured that the plate design may contribute to this. A semi-constrained construct does not significantly change strut-graft loads in extension or flexion. Thus it may be biomechanically advantageous to use these for such indications.
The Anterior Cervical Compression System for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is indicated for anterior screw fixation to the cervical spine (C2C7) for the following indications: degenerative disc disease (DDD), spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, and tumors (primary and metastatic), failed previous fusions, pseudoarthrosis, and deformity (defined as kyphosis, lordosis and scoliosis).
The Anterior Cervical Compression System (ACCS) consists of plates with cortex and cancellous bone screws. The plate attaches to the anterior portion of the vertebral body of the cervical spine (levels C2C7). The system uses prelordosed plates that are designed to follow the anatomy of the cervical spine.
Additional features of the Anterior Cervical Compression System:
- Allow the creation of a rigid construct.
- Allow angular settling of the screw with respect to the plate as an alternative to the fully rigid construct.
- Anatomical alignment-therefore prelordosed.
- Low profile and footprint-2.0 mm thick and 16 mm wide.
- Quick reconstruction-therefore one-step locking screw-plate interface.
- Variable angulation-up to 12 cephalad and caudal angles to enable ease of screw insertion with anatomical alignment.
- Fixed angle screws (at 4 only-cephalad and caudal) to build a rigid or a hybrid construct.
- Graft visualization through dogbone feature.
- The screw will enable self-retention and a higher yield torque.
- Wider range of screws (cortex and cancellous) with additionally available screw lengths and respective drill lengths.
- Simple and few instruments.
- Simpler and more intuitive graphic case for the OR personnel.
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