Anterior Cervical Discectomy, Decompression and Fusion for the Treatment of Pain, Weakness, Numbness and Tingling in the Neck and Arm caused by Radiculopathy or Myelopathy.
Last updated Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Preparing for surgeryPreparation If the
patient is a smoker, the patient should cease all smoking prior to the surgery.
Studies have shown that smoking decreases the likelihood that the bone graft
will fuse into place. The patient should cease smoking for at least 6 months
after the surgery to allow time for the bone graft to heal completely.
Generally,
blood transfusion is not necessary, so donation of blood units is not needed,
as is common in other surgical procedures.
Prior to
the surgery, the patient should have a thorough understanding of the risks,
benefits, and potential complications of surgical vs. nonsurgical treatment. In
addition, the patient should have an excellent understanding of the goals of
surgery. Depending on the condition, the goals of surgery range from preventing
further neurological damage to relieving pain and symptoms. Timing When
the patient is myelopathic, it might suggest urgency for the decompression and
fusion procedure depending on the severity of the condition.Costs The patient’s insurance provider can provide a reasonable
estimate of the following:
- the surgeon's fee
- the hospital fee
- the degree to which these should be covered by the patient's insurance
Surgical team A
fellowship-trained spine surgeon should perform this procedure, as it is
technically demanding. It should be performed at a medical center where these
procedures are done routinely.Finding an experienced surgeon Surgeons
specializing in spinal procedures may be located through the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Web site,
university schools of medicine, and county or state medical or orthopaedic organizations.
Facilities Surgery is usually
performed in a major medical center that performs these procedures on a regular
basis. These centers have surgical teams and facilities specially designed for
this type of surgery. In addition, neurological monitoring should be used,
depending on the patients’ condition and this should be avail. They also have
nurses and therapists who are accustomed to assisting patients in their
recovery.Surgery for Cervical Stenosis at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.
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