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Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

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Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy and Radiculopathy

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Abstract

A seismic shift occurred in the management of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy with the introduction of an anterior approach to the cervical spine by Smith and Robinson and by Cloward. Since its inception, the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been perhaps the most dependable, reproducible, and effective operation in the spine surgeon’s armamentarium. Refinements to the procedure with cervical plating and interbody graft options have added to that reliability and efficacy. The ACDF has now evolved into a consistently high-quality and low-cost outpatient procedure. The goal of this chapter is to review the indications, contraindications, surgical techniques, and complication avoidance in patients with cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy being managed with an anterior approach to the cervical spine. Case presentations at the end of the chapter illustrate and reinforce various key points.

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Disclosures

Dr. Tumialán is a consultant to Medtronic, plc. He is an investor in LessRay, which is owned by NuVasive.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Luis M. Tumialán

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  1. Luis M. Tumialán
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Correspondence to Luis M. Tumialán .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Michael G. Kaiser

  2. Atlanta Brain and Spine Care, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Regis W. Haid

  3. Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA

    Christopher I. Shaffrey

  4. Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Michael G. Fehlings

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Tumialán, L.M. (2019). Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. In: Kaiser, M., Haid, R., Shaffrey, C., Fehlings, M. (eds) Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy and Radiculopathy . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97952-6_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97952-6_22

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-97951-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-97952-6

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