Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine: a retrospective outcome analysis of 30 patients

Introduction: Degenerative Disc Disease of the cervical spine produces significant morbidity in middle aged individuals. Failure of conservative treatment necessitates removal of intervertebral disc and fusion. Autogenous Bone grafting improves the rate of fusion. This study aims to evaluate the functional outcome and fusion in 30 patients after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF). Materials and Method: Thirty patients with cervical radiculopathy who failed conservative treatment and underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using autograft from iliac crest were assessed. The parameters evaluated to assess the functional outcome include: Cervical lordosis, intervertebral disc height, fusion status, Odoms criteria, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and Visual Analog Pain scores. Statistical analysis was done with student's t test, pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. Results: The mean improvement in disc height was 3mm and cervical lordosis was 3 degrees. All patients had significant improvement in VAS score and JOA score. Odom's criteria showed excellent to good results in all patients. There were no donor site complications. The mean period to bony fusion was 7.067 months and fusion was seen in 93.33% of cases. Conclusion: ACDF with bone grafting and plating gives excellent results in cervical degenerative disease. The fusion rates are better with autograft albeit the negligible donor site morbidity