[Complications of ventral fusion operations in degenerative intervertebral disk diseases]

1112 anterior cervical fusion operations were performed on 951 patients according to the method described for the first time by Grote in 1970. The neurogenic, mechanical and inflammatory complications arising with this method are described. The typical complications are demonstrated by means of case reports and their possible causes are discussed. The incidence rate of the individual complications is compared with that reported in the literature for a total of 8366 fusions performed on 6384 patients.