title: Effect of Using High-Speed Drill in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of using 2 different surgical techniques (curette or high-speed drill) in anterior cervical discectomy surgery on the healing of cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four operated cervical disc hernia cases were retrospectively examined in 2 groups. Discectomy and osteophytectomy were carried out in Group A by using a high-speed drill, while a curette was used for group B. Preoperative and postoperative computerized tomography and direct radiography were performed. Cervical disc height, cervical and segmental lordotic angles were calculated. The visual analogue scale and Odom's criteria were used in the assessment of pain and clinical healing. The fusion ratio of both groups was compared. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare data from the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Satisfactory results were obtained in the groups where high-speed drill and curette were used. Independently from the surgical technique, pain scores were significantly reduced in both groups after surgery. No radiologically significant differences were identified between the two groups within the postoperative period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Either high-speed drill or curette can be chosen for the osteophytectomy and discectomy stages of anterior cervical discectomy operations.
authors.affiliation: Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Canakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guven
authors.forename: Davut
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ceylan
authors.forename: Adem Bozkurt
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Aras
authors.forename: Ayla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akbal
authors.forename: Ferhat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gokmen
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Resorlu
authors.forename: Bahadir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alkan
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tokmak
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cosar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome