Anterior cervical fusion (neck fusion)
Description
An anterior cervical fusion is the locking together (fusing) of multiple spinal vertebrae of the neck to help relieve the pressure placed on the nerves from movement of the spine caused by spinal stenosis, herniated disc, and bone spurs. The surgeon approaches the spine from the front of the neck (anterior), removes the disc material between the vertebrae, and replaces it with a bone graft. The bone graft allows the vertebrae to fuse together. The bone graft can be taken from the patient's hip (autograft bone) during the spine fusion surgery, harvested from cadaver bone (allograft bone) or manufactured (synthetic bone graft substitute). Hardware is sometimes placed bridging the vertebrae together as well.
Cost
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Common Complications
Complications include: hoarseness, swallowing problems, degeneration of the adjacent vertebrae, failure of the hardware installed, migration of the bone graft, nerve damage and chronic pain. All surgery comes with the risk of infection and blood clots. General anesthesia runs the risk of allergic reactions or breathing problems.
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