Surgical Treatment of Cervical Disc Herniation

Kim, Byung Jik; Ko, Han Suk; Seo, Jeong Gook; Choo, Suk Kyu; Kim, Jin Hwan

Abstract

To evaluate the results of anterior decompression and fusion with autogenous bone graft for cervical disc disease, the authors reviewed 18 cases of cervical disc herniation which were treated surgically at Inje Univ. Paik Hosp. from 1990 to 1994 with special interest in the thickness of the bone graft. All cases have been followed for more than 12 months. We try to know the clinical results of anterior decompression and fusion with autogenous bone graft. At this treatment, controversial point is a ideal thickness of graft and the width of distraction. Therefore, we follow up the correlation between thickness of graft on roentgenogram and clinical results. The clinical results were satisfactory as excellent in 11 cases, good in 5 cases according to criteria of Robinson et al. Successful fusion occured in 16 cases within 3 months after their initial procedure, and fusion failure resulted in 2 cases. 3mm distraction from baseline disc height was considered ideal thickness of graft after anterior decompression and all cases healed successfully. We concluded that 3mm distraction from baseline disc height is necessary for successful decompression & fusion.