Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Surgical Intervention for Treating Cervical Disc Disease

Abstract

Cervical disc disease includes chronic disc degeneration, stenosis, spondylosis, and disc herniation; providers initially treat these conditions conservatively through symptomatic care. When conservative measures fail, surgery may be indicated. It is important to explore all the surgical options available and the risks and benefits of each procedure. An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a procedure involving the removal of disc material to achieve neural tissue decompression and placement of a bone graft or interbody implant and a cervical plate and screws to stabilize the spinal column at one or more vertebral levels. This article briefly reviews the anatomy of the spine and treatment options for cervical disc disease; presents an in‐depth review of the ACDF procedure, including the expected perioperative course and care considerations; and concludes with a case report of a 37‐year‐old woman who underwent an ACDF at the C5‐C6 and C6‐C7 vertebral levels of the spine.

The Recurrence of Symptoms After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

“…ACDF is the gold-standard surgical approach for treating cervical disc conditions [ 3 ]. Its main indications include cervical disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and cervical spondylosis [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…ACDF is the gold-standard surgical approach for treating cervical disc conditions [ 3 ]. Its main indications include cervical disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and cervical spondylosis [ 3 , 4 ]. Briefly, the procedure is performed by making an incision in the neck anteriorly directly at the level of the injured cervical spine for easy access.…”

“…Surgical options include anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), posterior lamina foraminotomy, and cervical disc arthroplasty [1,2]. ACDF is the gold-standard surgical approach for treating cervical disc conditions [3]. Its main indications include cervical disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and cervical spondylosis [3,4].…”

A Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Cited Articles in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

“…5,6 The procedure involves the removal of the diseased disc and the implantation of autogenous or allograft implants to restore the stability of the operative vertebral body and achieve direct anterior decompression. 7 Indications for ACDF include cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD), cervical spinal stenosis, and partial ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). [8][9][10] In recent years, cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA), endoscopic spine surgery (ESS), and other procedures have developed rapidly and have been used to treat cervical spine diseases.…”