Anterior Spinal Plates, Cervical

Abstract

Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) is one of the most common and effective spine procedures performed, indicated for the treatment of cervical degenerative disk disease. Patients frequently present with neck pain, radiculopathy, or myelopathy secondary to compression of the neural elements. A thorough patient evaluation is performed, consisting of clinical examination, imaging, and possibly nerve conduction studies. This chapter outlines the diagnostic evaluation, indications, operative details, considerations, and complications of the ACDF procedure.