IS FUSION NECESSARY AFTER ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISKECTOMY

Anterior cervical discectomy is an effective and reliable treatment fo r nerve root or cord compression caused by disc herniation or spondylo sis. Although physicians have traditionally included fusion asa part o f this procedure, recent experience has suggested that this may not be necessary. Dr. Volker Sonntag and Dr. Peter Klara express opposing vi ews on the need for fusion after discectomy and support their perspect ives with clinical experience and a review of the pathoanatomy of disc disease. Dr. Sonntag believes that the majority of patients are well served with discectomy alone, avoiding the complications of graft harv est and potential nonunion. Dr. Klara feels that the interposed graft restores foraminal height and maintains cervical lordosis, both of whi ch are important to a good outcome.