[An operative procedure of anterior osteophytectomy with interbody fusion]

Surgical anatomy of an anterior approach to the cervical spine, together with osteophytectomy for cervical spondylotic radiculomyelopathy, was described. Recognition of fascial compartments is important to avoid unnecessary injuries to the vital structures such as oesophagus, trachea, carotid artery and recurrent nerve. Detailed operative procedures of microsurgical osteophytectomy removing all the compressing components against the cervical cord and radicula was also described. Biomechanics of the cervical spine must be borne in mind beforehand when cervical spine operation is considered.