[New surgical technique of anterior decompression for cervical disc disease: vertebral column autograft with the intervertebral disc after anterior cervical decompression].

The authors describe the surgical technique of vertebral column autograft with the intervertebral disc after anterior decompression for cervical disc disease. This series consisted of 41 patients with cervical disc disease suffering from cervical spondylotic radiculomyelopathy. There were 27 men and 14 women, ranging in age from 27 to 72 years (mean age 49 years). 33 patients were operated on at one level and 8 patients at two levels. The average postoperative follow-up period was one year 10 months and ranged from 6 months to 3 years 3 months. The patients were generally allowed out of bed wearing a soft collar within 1 day postoperatively. The collar was used for 2 months after surgery. The postoperative course of all patients was uneventful and neurological symptoms improved. Postoperative X-ray films showed some movement in the operated disc level in all patients. The authors think that this surgical procedure may be suitable for preserving mobility of the spine.