Anterior cervical discectomy and bone graft fusion - clinical

Introduction: Cervical disc protrusion is one of the characteristic feature of degenerative changes. It includes dessication of cervical discs, irregular wear of facer joints, narrowing of facet joints. Reactive hypertrophy of facets, and thickening of interlaminar area and attendant inflammation of these regions. These changes are ubiquitous in the adult population. Aims & Objectives: The present study is undertaken to analyze the clinical outcome and complications of anterior cervical discectomy and bone graft fusion. Materials & Methods: Forty one patients with cervical compressive myelopathy due to disc prolapsed at single or multiple levels have been admitted, evaluated and operated by anterior cervical discectomy and bone graft fusion. We have analyzed and the detailed clinical evaluation and their neurological deficits have been recorded. Results: A total of 97 cervical spine cases were operated, out of which 41 cases belonged to cervical discectomy with bone graft fusion. The incidence of these cases among cervical spine surgery in the present study is 42%, the male preponderance with 31 cases and female with 10 cases. Following surgery, patients were evaluated by Odom,s criteria. According this criterion, 26 out of 41 had an excellent outcome; 11 had a good outcome; 3 had fair outcome and 1 had poor outcome. In the present study, the patient presented with the features of Myelopathy, Myelo Radiculopathy and Radiculopathy with 39%, 41%, 20% respectively. Conclusion: This study shows that the anterior cervical discsetomy and bone graft fusion for cervical disc prolapsed is cost effective and best method of management and it avoids further complications associated with instrumentation usage.