Anterior cervical discectomy with and without fusion.

Abstract

Operative treatment of the diseased cervical disc can be effectively and efficiently performed by the anterior approach with or without interbody fusion. Good results are not related to effecting a fusion or to any inherent advantages of either technique, but only to removal of the pathological anatomy. Whether or not an interbody fusion is performed is related to the extent of the bone removed, and probably most importantly, to the preference of each individual surgeon.