A glass-ceramic prosthesis of LASAK Co. is used in the surgical treatment of degenerative diseases of the cervical spine since autumn 1995. Due to its shape and biochemical properties it makes perfect fusion with the neighbouring vertebrae possible without the use of a bone graft and supplementary fixation instruments. The authors summarize their experience with the first 13 operated patients followed up for two years after operation. Before surgery 4 times prolapse of an intervertebral disc was diagnosed; 7 times prolapse of an intervertebral disc with dorsal osteophytes, twice osteochondrosis of the disc with dorsal osteophytes. The clinical condition of the patients was evaluated according to the JOA classification, the position of the endoprosthesis and operated area was assessed by X-ray. Complications encountered in the group were due to an incorrect shape and size of the endoprosthesis. Four times the endoprosthesis broke, in one patient it escaped prevertebrally, in one instance the endoprosthesis escaped prevertebrally due to an incorrect shape and in one instance the patient developed central stenosis above the fixed section. Three patients were re-operated: two patients because the whole endoprosthesis or a part of it escaped prevertebrally and one patient on account of stenosis above the section fixed by the endoprosthesis.

        Key words: degenerative diseases of the cervical spine, decompression, fusion, glass-ceramic endopros- thesis