title: Multiple level discectomy and fusion.
abstract: The ventrolateral approach for surgical decompression of the cervical spine is widely used and well known to most spinal surgeons. Because compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots usually occurs ventral to the spinal cord, and the spinal cord does not tolerate traction, this approach allows safe and direct decompression of most compressive pathology. This article reviews the indications, diagnostic evaluation, and technique for multiple level discectomy and fusion. It further addresses the advantages and disadvantages of this technique compared with alternate surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurosurgery, Washington University, School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. stewartt@nsurg.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Todd J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Schlenk
authors.forename: Edward C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Benzel
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D017586:Diskectomy; D006801:Humans; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery