The anterior approach to spine surgery allows the surgeon to have direct access to the degenerated disc without having to manipulate any nerve roots.
Back Surgery
Is surgery for neck or back pain necessary? Sometimes. It is reasonable to consider spine surgery if the pain has not diminished after months of non-surgical treatment, if pain does not respond to medication, or if you're unable to complete basic daily activities. Some surgery options are minimally invasive (microdiscectomy for a herniated disc) and allow for quick recovery, while other types of surgery (a posterolateral fusion for degenerative disc disease) are more extensive.
Scar tissue is not likely the cause of pain after surgery if the recurrent pain appears years after spine surgery.
One- and two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) can be safely done in an outpatient setting for the right surgical candidate.
Outpatient Lumbar Fusion
The types of lumbar spinal fusion that may be done safely on an outpatient basis include ALIF, TLIF, and XLIF.
Magnification and specialized tools allow for the precise removal of irritants during an outpatient posterior cervical discectomy.
Advancements in at-home pain management allow qualified patients to receive several spine surgeries on an outpatient basis.