title: Anterior cervical discectomy without fusion or instrumentation: 25 years' experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess a minimalist approach to anterior cervical discectomy without instrumentation or bone grafting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 530 operations performed during a 25-year period were evaluated in terms of technique and patient outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Advantages included minimal blood loss, little tissue swelling, less narcotic requirement, fewer days in the hospital, and earlier return to customary activity. During the 2-year follow-up period, a repeat surgical procedure was required in only 2% of the group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eliminating spinal fusion from anterior cervical discectomy shortened the operation, reduced the number of surgical instruments needed, and eliminated complications associated with obtaining a graft from the iliac crest or maintaining the bone in situ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Good Samaritan Hospital, Rockland County, NY, USA.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Savitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed