Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a surgical procedure to relieve compression on the spinal cord & the cervical nerve roots from the herniated disc or the posterior bony spur.
Patients with cervical disc disease often presents with neck pain radiating to the arm (to the affected dermatome), weakness in the hands, tingling sensation and weakness of all four limbs if there is a spinal cord compression.
Indications for Surgery:Diagnosis is confirmed by Cervical X-ray, MRI Cervical Spine and CT Cervical Spine.
Procedure
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a surgical procedure performed under General anaesthesia with a 3 cm skin crease incision in front of the neck. The procedure includes discectomy and fusion. Discectomy is primarily performed, In general terms the surgeon will surgically remove all part of the disc that is producing the nerve root pain down the arms.
A fusion is a surgery that is done to join together two or more vertebrae bones following discectomy. By linking together (fusing) the vertebrae, your surgeon is trying to eliminate the motion that occurs within that portion of the spine. The surgeon may opt to use specialised spinal instruments, called a fusion cage, to increase the stability of the spine.