The anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is the “workhorse” procedure for disorders of the neck, accounting for about 90% of all surgeries performed on the cervical spine. Though Dr. Ibrahim considers any type of surgical intervention a last resort, this minimally invasive technique typically results in greater than 90% good or excellent results, short hospital stays (typically 1 day), and little “down time” before the patient feels better and is able to return to work and leisure activities.

The anterior (front) approach is the method which allows the most direct access to the problem disc. Dr. Ibrahim prefers to make a three centimeter horizontal incision on the left side of your neck. The dissection is truly an elegant “minimally invasive” approach which allows mobilization of adjacent structures and very little tissue trauma.

The problem disc is then directly visualized and removed. A microscope which allows magnification of disc material and nerve structure is typically used at this point. The spinal cord and exiting nerve roots are directly visualized and decompressed. Problematic adjacent bone spurs are also removed at this point.