Anterior Cervical Fusion for Degenerated or Protruded Discs

A Review of One Hundred Forty-Six Patients

Abstract

The results of 146 patients with anterior cervical intervertebral disc removal and fusions are reviewed. The diagnosis was cervical spondylosis in 75%, disc protrusion in 16%, and spondylosis at one level with disc protrusions at another in 9%. There were 81 women and 65 men with an average age of 48 ± 9 years. The average follow-up was 5 ± 3.3 years. The rate of fusion was 97%. Complete pain relief occurred in 78%, partial in 18% and little or no pain relief in 4%. There were no serious complications, and none of the patients thought they were made worse by surgery.