Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Surgical Intervention for Treating Cervical Disc Disease

Cervical disc disease includes chronic disc degeneration, stenosis, spondylosis, and disc herniation; providers initially treat these conditions conservatively through symptomatic care. When conservative measures fail, surgery may be indicated. It is important to explore all the surgical options available and the risks and benefits of each procedure. An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a procedure involving the removal of disc material to achieve neural tissue decompression and placement of a bone graft or interbody implant and a cervical plate and screws to stabilize the spinal column at one or more vertebral levels. This article briefly reviews the anatomy of the spine and treatment options for cervical disc disease; presents an in-depth review of the ACDF procedure, including the expected perioperative course and care considerations; and concludes with a case report of a 37-year-old woman who underwent an ACDF at the C5-C6 and C6-C7 vertebral levels of the spine.