Anterior Cervical Discectomy is a procedure used by spine surgeons to remove a herniated (ruptured) disc. The cervical portion of the spine is comprised of the 7 vertebrae C1 through C7. The standard discectomy and fusion requires an open surgery transverse or longitudinal incision and invasive intervention to remove the diseased disc and put in a graft. Today, however, the disc or discs can be removed utilizing a minimally invasive approach not requiring fusion. The benefits include lower costs to both the insurance companies and the patient. This is accomplished with decreased operative and recovery times, small skin incision and the capability to perform the procedure in an outpatient surgical setting rather than a hospital. Most patients are on there way home feeling better in just a few hours after surgery.

  Only minimally-invasive trained spine surgeons should attempt this type of surgery and currently there are not many surgeons worldwide trained to do so. The technology is here but many surgeons are still using traditional, open procedures. Specialized instrumentation for minimally-invasive approaches have been designed for removing herniated discs through small incisions. The surgeon is guided by watching monitors which allows for directing the instrumentation into the disc and then visualizing the inside of the disc. Then the disc can be removed and the supporting structures "tightened" with the laser. The practice of minimally-invasive spine surgery and has allowed the transformation from traditional open surgeries to the less invasive procedures today.