Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Surgery

What Is Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Surgery?

Anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) surgery is the minimally invasive removal of a herniated or degenerative disc in your neck to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Once the disc is removed and bone graft is inserted and then a titanium plate and screws are placed to hold the graft in place.

What Is the Success Rate for an Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Surgery?

Patients that undergo anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery have self-reported success rates between 85%-95% after 10 years of follow-up from the original surgery. This procedure reduces overall pain, weakness, numbness and tingling in your neck, arms, and hands. Patients have reported increased satisfaction following ACDF due to its immediate pain improvement.

Conditions ACDF Treats

Neck surgeries can be needed for various reasons. ACDF can treat any condition resulting in spinal compressions, such as:

Preparation for ACDF

The patient can do the following to better control their surgical success:

Focus on health

Physical and mental health play a significant role in postoperative success. Surgery will take a physical toll on the body, so be sure to eat plenty of nutrients and strengthen muscles through exercise. Quitting habits like smoking and drinking can also increase your chance of success. Additionally, mental health can affect positivity levels and, thus, overall recovery time.

Prep the home

Getting the patient’s home ready before surgery can save a lot of stress and hassle afterward. A neck brace is usually required after surgery and can prevent the patient from doing certain tasks, like reaching up to a cabinet or bending down to feed a pet. Make sure everything is easily accessible, and consider bringing the bed to the home’s main level if it is not there already.

Follow the doctor’s instructions

The doctor will sit with the patient and go through any medical history, current medications or health conditions that might interfere with surgery. The doctor may request the patient to stop taking a particular medicine or supplement before ACDF surgery. It is important to comply with these orders to ensure the patient’s safety.

What to Expect From the Surgery

Get a better look at pre-op, surgical and post-op procedures for ACDF below.

Preoperative

Before surgery, the entire procedure will be discussed with the patient. The surgeon will walk the patient through everything that will happen during surgery, including the risks. This is all done so that the patient is aware and involved in their care decisions.

The patient will once again be asked if any allergies or medical conditions are present that could affect the surgical outcomes. Once the patient is cleared, they will head to the operating room.

During Surgery

The patient will be under general anesthesia throughout the entirety of the surgery. ACDF surgery involves two parts — the anterior cervical discectomy and the fusion.

The anterior cervical discectomy — or decompression — begins with a single incision in the lower front of the neck. The surgeon will carefully navigate the neck muscles to expose the front of the cervical spine. The esophagus and trachea are moved away from the midline for a better look at the affected area. Retractors are then inserted to protect the surrounding tissue of the neck.

Removing the affected disc completes the discectomy, and the fusion step immediately begins. Here, the surgeon will stabilize the surgical segment by inserting a Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage with a bone graft. A titanium plate and screws will then be used as structural support to hold the PEEK cage and bone graft in place as it fuses over time.

Postoperative

Following the procedure, the patient will be taken back to a hospital room and will stay for one to two days to remain comfortable and start working on daily tasks. Doctors will monitor the incision. Patients will wear a cervical neck brace to discourage turning and bending of the neck. The goal is for the patient to begin walking on the day of surgery to ensure there are no complications. To be discharged, the patient must be able to eat, drink and urinate on their own and only require oral pain medications.

The patient may initially have some trouble swallowing or have a sore throat due to the manipulation of the esophagus during surgery. This can resolve within a few days. If the feeling persists, call the doctor.

Potential Risks With ACDF

ACDF is generally a safe surgery. However, all surgical procedures can have potential risks.

Some complications that can occur with ACDF include:

Damage to the laryngeal nerve, causing hoarseness or swallowing difficulty
Infection of the incision
Damage to the carotid or vertebral artery, resulting in bleeding or stroke
Mechanical complications with the bone graft plate, screws or rods
Heaviness or weakness in the upper arms or deltoid muscles

How Long Does It Take to Recover From ACDF?

There can be a wide variation of recovery times from patient to patient. Recovery can be determined by their job, potential complications from surgery and other individual factors. Consider the following answers to these frequently asked questions.

Will I Have to Wear a Neck Brace?

Yes, a neck brace is usually required following ACDF surgery. The patient may wear this from four to six weeks and should keep it on at all times until told otherwise, except when sleeping or showering.

When Will the Bone Graft Be Completely Fused?

Complete recovery times from ACDF can differ. It can take up to one year for the bone graft to be completely fused to the surrounding vertebrae.

Can I Shower After Surgery?

It is recommended that patients wait two days before showering after surgery. Be careful when rinsing the incision with soap and water — do not scrub. Following the shower, gently pat the incision to dry it.

Baths and other types of submersion — like swimming pools or hot tubs — are not permitted until around two weeks after the surgery or after the incision has completely healed.

When Can I Exercise?

Exercising or any strenuous activity should wait until around six weeks following ACDF surgery. This time frame will likely be when physical therapy also begins, teaching the patient to move safely and return to regular activities.

Contact DISC Today

For more information on anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery, schedule an appointment with Desert Institute for Spine Care today. We’re eager to help you get your life back on track.

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