What is a cervical standalone spacer system?

A Cervical Standalone Spacer System is a medical device used in spinal surgeries, specifically for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures. It is designed to stabilize the cervical spine after the removal of a damaged or degenerated intervertebral disc. This system is commonly used in one-level or multi-level fusion surgeries to provide immediate stability while the bone graft within the implant promotes long-term fusion.

Who might need a cervical standalone spacer system?

A Cervical Standalone Spacer System is typically needed by individuals experiencing significant cervical spine issues that require surgical intervention. Candidates for this system often include:

• Patients with Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)

• Individuals with Herniated Cervical Discs

• Those with Cervical Spine Instability

• People Suffering from Cervical Stenosis

• Patients with Post-Traumatic Spinal Injuries

• Those with Failed Previous Cervical Fusion Surgery

• Patients with Spondylolisthesis or Spondylosis

This system is often recommended for patients who need spinal fusion but want a less invasive option that avoids the complications of additional hardware like plates and screws.

Why choose a standalone system compared to a conventional one?

• Minimally invasive: Since a standalone system does not require a separate anterior plate, it reduces the need for additional soft tissue dissection.

• Shorter surgical time: Eliminates the extra steps needed for plate fixation, leading to less time under anesthesia.

• No prominent anterior plate: This can be beneficial for individuals concerned about cosmetic outcomes, especially in thinner patients where hardware may be more noticeable.

• Less post-operative discomfort: Some patients report fewer issues related to swallowing (dysphagia) compared to plate-based systems.

When might I need a cervical standalone spacer system?

While the most common age to need some form of back surgery is 53-54, the truth of the matter is that anyone can acquire a back injury through either their day to day life, some kind of physical activity or sport, or even some unforeseen accident. In the United States, approximately 1.2 to 1.6 million instrumented spinal procedures, including spinal fusion and decompression/discectomy, are performed annually.

What is an example cervical standalone spacer system?

One example of a cervical standalone spacer system is the Blackhawk® Ti from ChoiceSpine LLC. It has integrated anchors for anterior cervical spinal fusion, and the single-step anchor deployment is designed to reduce surgical steps in the operating room, and features a cam-locking mechanism that provides visual and tactile confirmation of final locking. The implant is 3D printed BioBond® technology, ChoiceSpine’s proprietary porous trabecular structure, and is available in two anatomical footprints.

OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS WITH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY

The Blackhawk^® Ti device offers sleek instrumentation for efficient implant insertion into the interbody space. Blackhawk Ti is then secured and locked in a single step utilizing a cam-style locking mechanism. The Blackhawk Ti device is offered in various heights, footprints, and lordosis to accommodate multiple anatomies.

Multiple Footprints