The vertebral artery: Surgical anatomy

Anterior cervical decompressive surgery is widely performed for spondylosis , herniated intervertebral disk, tumor, infection, and trauma in the subaxi al cervical spine region. Laceration of the vertebral artery is the most ch allenging of surgical dilemmas during anterior cervical spine surgery, as g aining control of the massive hemorrhage from a ruptured vertebral artery i s difficult and could possibly result in an uncertain neurologic morbidity. As such, the understanding the surgical anatomy of the vertebral artery is essential to prevent iatrogenic injuries.