Complications of anterior cervical disk removal and fusion.

Surgeons favoring fusion believe that removal of the disk alone can result in painful spondylosis, eventually requiring fusion. Surgeons not favoring fusion eliminate painful neuralgia from damage to the anterior femoral cutaneous nerve as well as painful donor site scars. Also eliminated are painful pseudarthrosis and degenerative problems. Graft collapse and displacement are uncommon if three-sided iliac grafts are used. Rarely, if ever, is it necessary to fix the graft in place with wire silk sutures. Fortunately, complications of cervical spine surgery are uncommon.