Anterior interbody fusion in cervical disc-herniation

Anterior interbody fusion and cervical discectomy is a surgical technique to treat variety of cervical spine disorders such as nerve root or spinal cord compression. This technique permits to decompress the spinal cord and nerve roots in association with interbody fusion to provide segmental alignment in lordosis and solid arthrodesis with minimal surgical risk. The aim of this video is to show the anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion of a 55 Y/O patient who was suffering from cervical pain associated with intractable radiculapathy of the left C6 root for 6 month. Anterior approach to the cervical spine was peformed with a longitudinal skin incision on the medial border of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle. The platisma muscle was gently incised and the medial border of the scm muscle was isolated. The homoyoid muscle was isolated and partially retracted, the longus colli separated to expose the C5-C6 space. Discectomy was performed, the posterior osteophyte removed and the posterior longitudinal ligament removed to ezpose the dural sac. With the artroscope is possible to visualize and remove the posterior longitudinal ligament and expose the dura. A 6 mm anatomical cage was placed into the intervertebral space, to achieve the correct height of the intervertebral space and the physiological lordosis. The incised fascia and muscles are reattached. Postoperative care consisted of soft collar for 4 weeks, then physiotherapy. Two year follow-up clinical and radiographical control demonstrate solid anterior interbody fusion of C5-C6 space.