Anterior cervical discectomy without interbody fusion

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Spine Surgery

Background:

• Anterior cervical discectomy is a common procedure for cervical disc disease.
• The necessity of interbody bone grafting during this procedure remains debated.
• This study evaluates outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy performed without interbody fusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy and safety of anterior cervical discectomy without interbody fusion.
• To determine patient outcomes using established criteria (Odom and Finney).
• To analyze the impact of disc herniation type and symptom duration on outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 64 consecutive patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy without interbody fusion.
• Data collected from April 1994 to February 1998 by a single surgeon.
• Patient outcomes assessed using Odom and Finney criteria, including return to work and complications.

Main Results:

• 91% of patients achieved good or excellent outcomes.
• 96% of patients with soft disc herniation and 88% with hard disc herniation had good/excellent results.
• No reoperations or instability occurred; common complications included transient pain and dysphagia.

Conclusions:

• Anterior cervical discectomy without interbody fusion can achieve satisfactory results in managing cervical disc disease.
• This technique offers a viable alternative to fusion, potentially reducing associated morbidity.
• The study supports discectomy alone as an effective surgical option for select patients.