Spine-Discectomy, Decompression and Fusion Surgery

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of neck surgery done to remove a damaged disc so that it relieves spinal cord or nerve root pressure and alleviates the associated pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling.

What Is Spinal Discectomy?

The discectomy is performed to release the pressure exerted on the spinal nerves because of a bulging or slipped disc. It is the surgical removal of abnormal disc material that puts pressure on the nerve root or the spinal cord. In this procedure, a portion of the intervertebral disc is removed causing pain weakness or numbness by stressing the spinal cord.

What is spinal decompression and fusion surgery?

This surgery helps join 2 or more vertebrae so they grow into a solid piece of bone. This surgery can take anywhere from 2 1/2 hours to 6 or 7 hours. The cervical decompression and spine fusion surgery is performed on the back and with the face upward under general anesthesia. During this surgery, there is adequate padding of bony and soft tissue structures. Sequential compression boots are given to the patient’s lower extremities so that there won’t be a chance of blood clots during the operation.

Procedure

The decompression and spine fusion procedure starts with the transverse incision in the lower front of the neck. The underlying musculature of the neck is carefully dissected which allows the surgeon to expose the front of the cervical spine by retracting the esophagus and trachea toward the midline and the carotid artery and associated structures to the side. Muscles and membranes overlying the anterior cervical spine are dissected as well.