Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: Surgical indications and outcomes

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) remains the most commonly performed surgery for symptomatic disc herniations that have failed conservative treatment. It provides excellent visualization for central and bilateral foraminal decompression without manipulation of neural structures. Reliably excellent outcomes are seen following single-level procedures. Although similar results can frequently be obtained with multi-level ACDF, the pseudarthosis risk is heightened in this setting. However, plate application and smoking cessation minimize the risk.