ACDF Surgery

What is ACDF Surgery?

Julie requires ACDF surgery on at least two levels. The possibility of additional levels will be addressed and assessed during her pre-surgical testing regime.

This surgery is required for additional stabilisation to Julie’s unstable spine, for her premature disk degeneration, and to remove osteophytes - bone spur growths which push against the spinal cord.

The cervical interior approach (ACDF Surgery) is made from the anterior part of the neck through a horizontal incision, generally following a wrinkle or a channel on the neck, frequently on the right side once the patient is put face up on the operating table under total anaesthesia. The incision generally has about 3cm wide except when operating several cervical levels.

Later the surgeon will push aside the trachea, oesophagus and the neck arteries to be able to have access to the anterior cervical spine. The neck muscles are drawn apart to clearly uncover the cervical spine so that the surgeon can determine the affected discs, using intraoperative radiology.

Once the affected disk identified, the surgeon will proceed to a cervical discectomy which consists in extracting the material in the disc as well as the osteophytes which cause the pressure to the spinal cord or are affecting the nerve roots. The above mentioned are the reasons to why the patient suffers from myelopathy or radiculopathy. In most cases the procedure is made through microsurgical technique.

Having freed the nerve roots and spinal cord and checked that there are no residual disc fragments, the surgeon will carry on preparing the bone plates of the adjacent vertebrae in order to place the autologous bone graft or the cervical cages. In the latter case, the disc is filled with fragments of autologous bone graft or artificial bone substitute. Depending on each case, it can be considered screwing an anterior cervical plate inside the vertebrae to strengthen the bone fusion.

Julie will receive the following artificial disk replacements: The artificial disc is generally made from several different types of materials, including a mixture of medical grade titanium, polyurethane and cobalt chromium. The implants made with these materials have been handled in a safe manner respecting specific and relevant guidelines for many years.

The skin in then sutured (intradermal suture) and a subcutaneous drainage is immediately placed and then removed the following day after the surgery.