In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to thoroughly describe and objectively compare the efficacy of anterior cervical plate (ACP) and stand-alone cage (SAC). Although recognized as an effective procedure for cervical degenerative disease (CDD), a debate between the methods of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion exists. ACP provides stability to the fusion construct; however, some complications have been reported, such as dysphagia, adjacent disc disease, and soft tissue injury. To overcome these complications, a SAC was later introduced. A systematic search was conducted on the basis of PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines to identify relevant studies through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane database. A total of 14 studies (960 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. Twenty outcomes were clinically and radiologically compared between the two procedures. ACP and SAC were comparable in terms of dysphasia rate, loss of segmental angle, loss of disc height, the Odom criteria, Robinson's criteria, hospital stay, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, Neck Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale, and fusion time. However, SAC was superior in terms of shorter operation time, less blood loss, lower dysphagia rate, and lower rate of adjacent level disease, whereas ACP was advantageous in terms of lower subsidence rate, better maintenance of the cervical global and segmental angles and disc height, and higher fusion rate. Both procedures can be used in patients with CDD, although it might be more beneficial to choose ACP in patients with multi-level pathologies, wherein better mechanical stability is provided. However, SAC may be more beneficial to use in patients with comorbidities, anemia, or swelling problems because it offers lower complication rates.

In developing countries, a large proportion of patients with scoliosis present late, especially the underprivilege, so the curves had become rigid and severe. There is still no consensus about the surgical management of the severe and rigid scoliosis and some literatures suggested that combined anterior and posterior or single-stage posterior-only instrumentation are generally required for the correction of these deformities. We presented three cases of severe rigid scoliosis treated surgically in our center with two staged operation (anterior surgery and posterior instrumentation). A retrospective review was undertaken of patients with severe scoliosis who had undergone two-staged operation in Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department of Prof Ngoerah General Hospital Bali during the period between January 2018 and February 2020. The data was obtained from the hospital’s medical records and archives in our department, included sex, age, the severity and reducibility of the Cobb angle, maturity rate, treatment, length of stay, complications found, and the Scoliosis Research Society: 30 Questionnaire (SRS-30) score before and three months after the surgery. During the period of between January 2018 and February 2020, there were three cases of severe rigid scoliosis who underwent two-staged operation. The two staged operation performed were anterior surgery (soft tissue release, corpectomy, and anterior fusion), and posterior instrumentation (facetetectomy, rotation, stabilization, and fusion). There were one case of intra-operative hypovolemic shock and anemia that could be corrected succesfully. All three patients showed no complaint and the clinical examination showed improvements of the deformity post operatively. There were also improvement of the total SRS-30 score of all three patients after the two staged procedures performed (mean = 4.4) compared to pre-operative score (mean = 3.4). The two-staged operation including anterior surgery and posterior instrumentation is still a safe and effective way in treatment of severe rigid scoliosis.