Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery
Front view of neck
- Cervical Spine
Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery is performed to relieve compression on the nerve roots and spinal cord in the neck. This surgery is considered when the compression on the nerves is from the front and the spine is operated on from the front of the neck.
Causes of nerve root and spinal cord compression
- Disc prolapse - A disc prolapse (also referred to as slipped disc or disc herniation) is said to have occurred when the jelly-like central portion of the disc (nucleus pulposus) tears through the surrounding layers (annulus pulposus) and is displaced into the spinal canal, compressing the nerves extending from the spinal cord
- Bony out-growths - (osteophytes) - as a result of arthritis in the spine can compress the nerve root and spinal cord
- Thickening of the ligaments supporting the spinal column
- Fractures and tumours, though rare, can also produce compression
Symptoms of nerve root and spinal cord compression
Cervical Spine
The compression and resultant inflammation of the involved nerve root by a prolapsed disc produces pain in the neck and arms that may increase on coughing and sneezing. Numbness, the sensation of pins and needles, and muscular weakness in the arms and hands may also be present. When the prolapsed disc compresses the spinal cord (myelopathy), it can cause difficulty in walking, clumsiness (in-coordination) of the hands and problems with urinating. The presence and severity of these symptoms vary from person to person.
Indications for surgery
The symptoms subside in a majority of people without surgery. Surgery is considered when
- Symptoms fail to subside following a reasonable period of non-operative treatment
- Significant or progressive muscular weakness resulting from the nerve compression
- Spinal cord compression - Myelopathy - indicates the need for early surgery
About the surgery
MRI Scan - Cervical
disc herniation
- Anaesthesia: The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, with the patient lying on the back.
- The procedure: The surgeon makes a 2.5 to 5 cm incision (cut) on the skin in the front of the neck. The spine is exposed by retracting (pushing to one side) the muscles and blood vessels. The prolapsed disc and/or bony osteophyte are removed using special instruments and the pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord is relieved. After the removal of the disc, the resultant gap may be filled with bone graft (taken form the pelvic bone) or a spacer (cage) made from a plastic material called PEEK. A titanium plate with screws may also be used to provide further to the spine. A drain tube will remove the blood that collects at the surgical site. Dissolvable sutures are used to close (stitch) the skin.
After the surgery
- In the recovery room: Following surgery, you will be transferred to the recovery room and may feel some pain at the operated site when you wake up. You will be given pain medications, antibiotics, intravenous fluids to keep you hydrated and a urinary catheter will empty your bladder. A neck collar will be provided to keep you comfortable. When you are comfortable, you will be transferred to your room.
- In the ward: You will be allowed to drink sips of fluids after surgery and gradually progress to a full diet. The day after surgery, the drain tube and urinary catheter will be removed and you will be encouraged to walk. You may stay in the hospital for 1-3 days and your surgeon will decide when it is safe for you to go home.
- At Home: Once you are at home, it is important to stay active and take short walks at regular intervals to help reduce pain and hasten your recovery. Gradually increase the distance you walk each day but avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting and excessive rotation or extension of your neck. You may require some help with chores and errands for the first few weeks and it is advisable to have someone to help with these activities.
Risks and potential complications
MRI Scan - Cervical
disc herniation
All surgical procedures are associated with a risk of complications and all risks should be discussed with your surgeon. Allergic reaction to the anaesthetic or other medications and unforeseen complications such as pneumonia, stroke or heart attack are not caused by the surgical treatment and although rare it may have serious consequences. Please let your surgeon and anaesthetist know if you are allergic to medications and if you have any medical problems (relating to your heart, lungs, diabetes or increased blood pressure) and provide a list of your current and past medications.
Surgical complications can include bleeding, infection, spinal fluid leak, injury to the veins and arteries near the spine or injury to the spine's nerve tissue or its surrounding protective layer. Injury to the spinal cord or the nerves may occur during surgery and can result in complete paralysis of all four limbs or paralysis of certain muscles in the arms or legs, with loss of normal sensation. Loss of bowel and bladder control can also occur following injury to the nerves. An injury to the covering layers of the nerves (dura) can result in a leak of spinal fluid and this may occasionally require a repeat surgery.
Injury to the trachea (windpipe), oesophagus (food pipe) or the vocal cord nerve may occur during surgery. Damage to the vocal cord nerves may result in a hoarse or weak voice. The bone graft may not heal and fuse the spine (non-union) and rarely the bone graft may become dislodged, requiring further surgery.
Anterior cervical
fusion - Side view
Anterior cervical fusion - Front view Although antibiotics are given before and after surgery, there is a 1-5% incidence of wound infection. Superficial mild infections can be treated with antibiotics, while deep infections may require a wound wash-out under anaesthesia. If you have had an infection in any other region (urinary bladder, chest and skin) immediately prior to surgery, you may be at a higher risk of post-operative infection in the spine, so let your surgeon know.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT - clotting of blood in your calf muscles) and pulmonary embolism (clot migrating to your lungs) are uncommon after an elective spine surgery, particularly when you are out of bed and walking within 24 hours after surgery. We do not routinely use medications to prevent DVT; however, if you have had an episode of DVT in the past, let your surgeon know.
Occasionally a solid fusion is not obtained (nonunion) and further surgery to re-fuse the spine may be necessary. Nonunion rates are higher for patients who have had prior spinal surgery, smokers, patients who undergo multiple level fusion surgery, and patients who have undergone radiation for cancer. Not all patients who have a nonunion will need to have another fusion procedure. As long as the joint is stable, and the symptoms are better, more surgery is not necessary. In addition, there is a risk of achieving a successful fusion, without relieving the pain.
Notify your surgeon at once if you notice the following after surgery
Anterior cervical fusion
- Side view
- Excessive bleeding
- Redness or discharge from the wound
- Fever
- Persistent headache
- Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs
- Difficulty in passing urine
This is a brief overview and does not include all the known facts about your condition and the surgery. Feel free to seek any clarifications from your surgeon and his team. It is important for you to obtain a clear understanding of your condition and the risks, benefits and limitations of the surgical procedure before proceeding.
