In August 2020, Prof. Liu Hao of the Department of Orthopedics of West China Hospital has completed more than 1,000 cases (specifically 1,027 cases) of Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with zero-profile spacer, the largest number of such cases by a surgeon in China. The surgical results of more than 1,000 patients proved excellent, and no reoperations was required, indicating the success rate of the operations is leading internationally.

The incidence of cervical spondylosis has climbed year by year, as people sit or stand working for a longer time, causing the increased workload for the cervical vertebrae. Statistics show that 95% of patients with cervical spondylosis could have their pain relieved through non-surgical methods, while a few patients with severe spinal cord or nerve root compression have to receive surgical treatment. Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion(ACDF) is regarded as one of the most commonly used methods to treat cervical spondylosis. In the traditional ACDF surgery, the fixation was achieved by the intervertebral fusion cage-plate construct. The presence of the anterior titanium plate has increased the possibility of irritation to the anterior soft tissue and the adjacent intervertebral disc, resulting in increased complications such as dysphagia and adjacent segment degeneration. Due to lack of the anterior plate, the zero-profile spacer can effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, while reducing the exposure and trauma before such surgery.

According to domestic and foreign literature, the average reoperation rate of this technique was about 40-60/1,000. Up to now, there is no reoperation case in Prof. Liu Hao's team, indicating the reoperation rate is far lower than its international peers. Specifically, there have been no disputes or complaints among more than the 1,000 patients, and no patient was paralyzed or died due to such operation. At present, Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with zero-profile spacer has become one of the featured technologies of WCH’s Spinal Surgery, with the success rate of operation being at the international leading level.