Standalone PEEK Cages in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Clinical Outcomes from a Case Series

This article aims to evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of standalone polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Fourteen patients underwent ACDF with standalone PEEK cages at our institute, between April 2022 and March 2026. Inclusion criteria were symptomatic cervical disc disease refractory to conservative therapy. Outcomes assessed included pain relief using the visual analog scale (VAS), neurological recovery, radiographic fusion, cervical alignment, and perioperative complications. Descriptive statistics were used. Continuous variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation, and categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. No inferential statistical analysis was performed due to the small sample size. The cohort consisted of 10 males and 4 females (mean age: 46.3 years). The mean preoperative VAS was 9.5, which improved to 2.1 postoperatively. According to Odom's criteria, all patients had excellent outcomes. Radiographic follow-up showed preserved alignment with cage subsidence reported in one patient and anterior cage slippage in another. One patient had preoperative right deltoid weakness, which improved completely after surgery and physiotherapy. Dysphagia was noted in one patient and no pseudarthrosis was reported. An average follow-up period of 3.6 months was reported. Standalone PEEK cages in ACDF provided excellent pain relief, early radiographic evidence suggestive of fusion, and preserved alignment with minimal complications. They represent a safe and effective alternative to plate-assisted constructs. However, larger prospective studies are needed to confirm long-term outcomes.