 | Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion |
What is an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery?
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure that is performed to reduce or eliminate chronic pain in neck or back which may be caused by problems with the spinal discs.
When is an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery needed?
The spinal column discs are responsible for comfortable movement. These discs suffer damage due to age, injuries, and some degenerative conditions such as arthritis. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion may be recommended for:
- Removal of a disc in the spine that has worn out due to an injury.
- Removal of bone spurs on your vertebrae that is pinching a nerve. A pinched nerve may lead to your legs or arms being numb or weak.
- To treat a herniated disk, also called slipped discs. This occurs when the rubbery cushions in-between the spinal discs are pushed out to the edges of a disc.
What does an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery entail?
During the procedure, you will be under general anaesthesia. The neurosurgeon will make a small incision on the front of your neck. He will then move the blood vessels, oesophagus and windpipe in order to gain access to your vertebrae.
The neurosurgeon will identify the affected vertebrae, discs, or nerves. Surgical tools will be used to remove bone spurs or discs that are damaged or are pushing on the nerves and are causing pain. This process is called a cervical discectomy. A piece of bone will be removed from somewhere in your neck or from a donor to be used as an autograft. This graft will be then inserted as a replacement for the removed bone during a process called bone graft fusion.
The bone graft will be secured in place with the use of titanium plates and screws. After the procedure, the neurosurgeon will put the blood vessels, trachea and oesophagus back to their rightful place. The incision will be stitched closed.
