Abstract
BackgroundNowadays, Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is considered a routine procedure. However, unexpected difficulties do occasionally arise, especially when anterior neck pathologies or anatomical variations are encountered. In such cases, proactive thinking will allow surgeons to tailor appropriately their approach and eliminate surgical risks.Case presentationWe present the case of a 50-year-old male patient suffering from left upper limb radiculopathy that underwent a C7-T1 ACDF combined with a hemithyroidectomy. Excision of the right thyroid lobe was offered to the patient because of a goiter found during the preoperative work-up. Furthermore, the hemithyroidectomy provided a wide surgical field so the ACDF performed without excreting excessive traction to the adjacent neck structures.ConclusionsThe patient had an uncomplicated post-operative. To our knowledge this is the first report of a planned hemithyroidectomy being carried out as the first step towards an ACDF procedure.
Highlights
Nowadays, Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is considered a routine procedure
The patient had an uncomplicated post-operative. To our knowledge this is the first report of a planned hemithyroidectomy being carried out as the first step towards an Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedure
Despite the familiarity of spinal surgeons with ACDF, one should always bear in mind that the anterior neck region contains crucial anatomical structures such as the trachea, the common carotid artery, the superior thyroidal artery, the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), the esophagus, the thoracic duct and the thyroid gland [4]
Summary
The patient had an uncomplicated post-operative. To our knowledge this is the first report of a planned hemithyroidectomy being carried out as the first step towards an ACDF procedure. Keywords: ACDF, Anterior cervical Discectomy and Fusion, C7/T1 anterior discectomy, Cervicothoracic junction, Hemithyroidectomy
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