Anterior Disc Excision and Interbody Spinal Fusion for Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Summary A follow-up study of the first 100 patients treated at Duke University Medical Center by anterior lumbar disc excision and interbody fusion with autogenous bone indicates that this operative procedure is useful in the management of patients with mechanical back pain with or without radiculopathy. The procedure does not replace posterolateral arthrodesis or posterior root decompression. The anterior approach is used when the patients have had prior posterior low back surgery without relief of radiculopathy or in those who have developed pseudarthrosis posteriorly. Anterior discectomy and fusion provide a successful method for the treatment of patients who continue to have back pain after hemilaminectomy and who show no evidence of mechanical root compression. The technique requires special attention, and the indications for the procedure require special consideration.