STUDY DESIGN Narrative review. OBJECTIVES Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a reliable procedure, commonly used for cervical degenerative disc disease. For interbody fusions, autograft was the gold standard for decades; however, limited availability and donor site morbidities have led to a constant search for new materials. Clinically, it has been shown that calcium phosphate ...

INTRODUCTION Interposition grafts combined with anterior plating currently remain the gold standard for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The use of anterior plates increases fusion rates but may be associated with higher rates of postoperative dysphagia. The aim of the current study was to determine the clinical and radiological outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion...

OBJECTIVE Cadaveric fibula with locking plate internal fixation has been reported to be associated with fewer complications and better long-term results, compared with autologous iliac crest. With the knowledge that cortically dense allografts collapse less with time, new machined femoral ring allografts were developed for anterior cervical fusion after anterior cervical discectomy. We describe...

The author presents a simplified technique for midline screw-plate fixation in fusion procedures after anterior cervical discectomy, in which the plate is introduced over the Caspar distractor pins. The Uniplate system used, with a single screw in each vertebral body, minimizes bone damage to the vertebral body as the screws can be fixed in the holes previously used for the Caspar distractor pi...

The concept of minimally invasive spinal surgery embodies the goal of achieving clinical outcomes comparable to those of conventional open surgery, while minimizing the risk of iatrogenic injury that may be incurred during the exposure process. The development of microscopy, laser technology, endoscopy, and video and image guidance systems provided the foundation on which minimally invasive spi...

BACKGROUND Speech and swallowing dysfunctions are common following the anterior approach to the cervical spine. Despite functional morbidity and legal implications, the incidence and etiologic factors of these complications have not been adequately elucidated. OBJECTIVE To better define speech and swallowing dysfunction both in the quantitative and qualitative sense. METHODS A questionnaire...