Subaxial cervical spine: Past, present and future

Abstract

Subaxial cervical spine is the main region of cervical pathologies treated everyday with both anterior and posterior approaches having a long-standing history. Fusion techniques evolved starting from bone grafts, various spacers made from i.e. titanium, composites and polyether-ketones, different plating technologies to dorsal screw-rod constructs. New materials and fusion technologies are under development. A broad variety of surgical techniques are in the surgeon's portfolio to be tailored to the patient's pathology.