Anterior Cervical Disectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

Overview

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgery to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the neck. An incision is made in the throat area to reach and remove the disc. A graft is inserted to fuse together the bones above and below the disc. ACDF surgery may be an option if physical therapy or medications fail to relieve your neck or arm pain caused by pinched nerves. Patients typically go home on same day or in 2-3 days.

Features

Degenerative disc disease causes the discs to dry out. Tears in the disc annulus can allow the gel-filled nucleus material to escape and compress the spinal cord causing numbness and weakness. Bone spurs may develop which can lead to a narrowing of the nerve root canal (foraminal stenosis). The pinched spinal nerve becomes swollen and painful.

Procedure

After the disc is removed, the space between the bony vertebrae is empty. To prevent the vertebrae from collapsing and rubbing together, a spacer bone graft is inserted to fill the open disc space. The graft serves as a bridge between the two vertebrae to create a spinal fusion. The bone graft and vertebrae are fixed in place with metal plates and screws. Following surgery the body begins its natural healing process and new bone cells grow around the graft.

Notification

Infection: Antibiotics are regularly given to the patient before, during, and often after surgery to lessen the risk of infections.

Recurrence: A recurrence of original symptoms may be caused by adjacent segment disease after ACDF.

Nerve damage: It is possible that the nerves or blood vessels may be injured during these operations. However, these complications are very rare.

Hematoma: The formation of blood clots in the neck area may compress the trachea and cause severe complication postoperatively. However, these complications are very rare.

Neck Collar use: A cervical collar or brace is sometimes worn during recovery and bone union to provide support and limit motion while your neck heals or fuses

Estimated Cost

For estimated medical costs, please contact International Medical Services Center.