Abstract
Spinal fusion is a familiar surgical technique ; however, the concept of spinal fixation is different when applied in the cervical spine compared with in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Although the fusion procedure is most often performed to treat the instability and deformity in the thoracic and lumbar spine, cervical fusion is frequently performed in cases without instability and deformity. Anterior cervical decompression and fusion is a typical fixation procedure.
In accordance with cervical spinal pathology, we should select anterior or posterior surgery and fusion or non-fusion surgery. If the pathology exists in 2 or less intervertebral lesions, an anterior decompression and fusion procedure is often performed, whereas posterior decompression surgery is frequently selected for cases involving 3 or more intervertebral lesions without instability. We describe the indications divided into absolute and relative indications, surgical methods, complications and surgical tips of cervical fixation.
