What Is Anterior Cervical Discectomy?
For those who wonder what anterior cervical discectomy actually is, this article is going to reveal about it along with more information related to it. This is something that is carried out for the purpose of relieving pain that is usually due to the pressure that takes place on people's spinal cord or nerve roots. This operation is usually carried out on the upper spine of those who suffer from neck pain. The necessary procedures to be carried out in this case can be figured out by paying attention to the term anterior cervical discectomy. Anterior represents front, cervical means neck and discectomy -- as always -- means cutting out a disc.
Anterior cervical discectomy usually works following these procedures. First, it creates an incision measuring about 2 inches horizontally on either right or left side of the sufferers' neck. Retractors will then separate soft tissues and neck muscles apart. This way, it is possible for surgeon to perform the tasks on the spine front. It is also necessary to split those thin muscles of platysma that exists under the skin in alignment compared to the incision of the skin. It is then that the spot existing between strap and sternocleidomastiod muscles is entered.
Then, an area between carotid sheath and esophagus/trachea is entered. The spine covered with thin fascia is then dissected away from the disc space where a needle is then inserted and X-ray is performed to make sure the surgeon has got the spine level accurately.
In most cases, it is necessary to use a magnifier glass or a microscope to carry out the dissection. This is to help visualize those anatomic structures that come in very small sizes. The next procedure is then to shave a bone layer off those flat surfaces that can be located on the 2 vertebrae. This is when bleeding will occur so that the bone is able to graft heal and join the other bones in existence.
A good surgeon will usually measure how high and wide the space between the 2 vertebrae is. He will then graft a particular bone section from the pelvis top. It is then fitted into the original place of the disc. The surgeon will then give higher pull to the traction so that he will be able to put those 2 vertebrae away from each other and tamp the graft into the appropriate place.
Then, after the surgeon has released the traction pull, he will make sure that the graft is in the correct place by turning and bending the neck. A drainage tube is also used in most cases in order to cover the wound while everything else is put back into the appropriate places.
Anterior cervical discectomy usually works following these procedures. First, it creates an incision measuring about 2 inches horizontally on either right or left side of the sufferers' neck. Retractors will then separate soft tissues and neck muscles apart. This way, it is possible for surgeon to perform the tasks on the spine front. It is also necessary to split those thin muscles of platysma that exists under the skin in alignment compared to the incision of the skin. It is then that the spot existing between strap and sternocleidomastiod muscles is entered.
Then, an area between carotid sheath and esophagus/trachea is entered. The spine covered with thin fascia is then dissected away from the disc space where a needle is then inserted and X-ray is performed to make sure the surgeon has got the spine level accurately.
In most cases, it is necessary to use a magnifier glass or a microscope to carry out the dissection. This is to help visualize those anatomic structures that come in very small sizes. The next procedure is then to shave a bone layer off those flat surfaces that can be located on the 2 vertebrae. This is when bleeding will occur so that the bone is able to graft heal and join the other bones in existence.
A good surgeon will usually measure how high and wide the space between the 2 vertebrae is. He will then graft a particular bone section from the pelvis top. It is then fitted into the original place of the disc. The surgeon will then give higher pull to the traction so that he will be able to put those 2 vertebrae away from each other and tamp the graft into the appropriate place.
Then, after the surgeon has released the traction pull, he will make sure that the graft is in the correct place by turning and bending the neck. A drainage tube is also used in most cases in order to cover the wound while everything else is put back into the appropriate places.