Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion

Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion in Southlake

By removing vertebral bone and intervertebral disc material from the cervical spine, or neck, an anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion is a surgical treatment to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves.

Anterior cervical corpectomy entails entering the cervical spine from the front side (anterior position) of the neck in order to remove the vertebral bone or disc material. The idea behind spinal fusion is to place a bone graft between the two afflicted vertebral bodies to promote bone development there. The decompression of the neural structures is adequately accomplished with the aid of spinal fusion. In order to support the spine, the bone graft connects the two vertebral bones and grows into a single vertebra. Additionally, it aids in preserving the typical disc height.

Contact Us

ANTERIOR CERVICAL CORPECTOMY and FUSION

What Causes Spinal Nerve Compression?

Spinal nerve compression is a result of degenerative spinal diseases such as herniated discs and bone spurs. Additionally, strain on the spinal nerve structures may also be caused by tumors, infections, or spinal fractures. Neck pain and/or stiffness, weakness, or numbness that extends down to the arms might be brought on by nerve compression in the cervical spine area of the neck.

Following a thorough examination of your spine, medical history, and imaging findings of the cervical vertebrae (such as X-ray, CT (computed tomography) scan, or MRI), your surgeon advises anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion surgery (magnetic resonance imaging). Only when non-surgical therapy options have failed is surgery advised. Your surgeon takes into account a number of variables before considering surgery, including your age, lifestyle, and expected degree of activity after the procedure. Prior to arranging the surgery, it is important to have a full conversation about this treatment option with your surgeon.

Procedure

What to Expect

Your doctor makes a little incision to the side at the front of your neck to identify the cause of neurological compression. The compression on the nerve root will then be relieved by removing the vertebral body or intervertebral disc that is causing it. A bone graft will then be implanted at the decompression site. Additionally, devices like plates and screws are used to facilitate the healing and fusion of the vertebrae as well as to add more support and stability.

Post-Operative

Your doctor will create a customized post-operative recovery/exercise plan for you in order to assist you to resume normal activity as soon as feasible. Your post-operative symptoms may become better right away or gradually over time. The length of the hospital stay is determined by this treatment strategy. By the end of the first day following surgery, you will be able to wake up and walk. Depending on the type of employment or activity you intend to resume and the state of your body's recovery, you should be able to do so in 3 to 6 weeks. Discuss with your spinal surgeon and abide by their recommendations for optimum healing and a suitable postoperative recovery.

Possible Risks or Complications

Each patient's treatment experience and outcome varies. In order to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the operation, it is crucial to understand the risks associated with the process. The dangers of spinal surgery include infection, blood loss, blood clots, nerve damage, bowel and bladder issues, in addition to the anesthesia consequences. A major risk of spinal fusion is fusion failure, which necessitates repeat surgery. Fusion failure refers to the failure of the vertebral bones to fuse with the bone transplant.

For a comprehensive description of the indications, clinical outcomes, side effects, warnings and precautions, and other pertinent medical information regarding anterior cervical discectomy with fusion surgery, please seek the counsel of your doctor.

Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion