Anterior Discectomy With Fusion And Stabilization For The Management Of Mono-Segmental Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy And Myelopathy

The purpose of the current study is to discuss the authors' experience and results in managing degenerative monosegmental cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy by anterior discectomy with fusion and stabilisation. This is a retrospective study which evaluates the results of anterior discectomy with fusion and stabilization performed between 1997 and 2004 at a tertiary-level health care institution. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan was obtained in each case, and MRI depiction of a prolapsed cervical intervertebral disc was essential for inclusion in the study. Left-sided standard anterior cervical approach was used. Tricortical bone graft was impacted into the disc space, and stabilization was done using a standard anterior cervical H-type plate. Good to excellent results were seen in 87.95 % of patients in the radiculopathy group and 70.0 % of patients in the myelopathy group. Most of the complications were related to graft site morbidity. Non-union was seen in 3 of the patients.