title: The anterior approach to the cervical spine.
abstract: This article focuses on the indications for anterior cervical surgery, relevant surgical anatomy, a brief description of the technique of anterior surgery followed by a discussion of results and complications. It is hoped that the reader will achieve a better understanding for the clinical syndrome of cervical disc degeneration and be better able to put into proper perspective the role of diagnostic imaging in the overall evaluation of the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008722:Methods; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed