The following is a summary of the “Cervical Disk Arthroplasty Surgical Technique” published in the December 2022 issue of Clinical Spine Surgery by Shafi et al.
In recent years, cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA) has emerged as a viable option to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the treatment of cervical disk degeneration with neurological symptoms. The senior author’s recommended surgical approach for a single-level CDA is presented in this publication and its supplementary digital information.
A conventional, left-brain Smith Robinson procedure is used to conduct CDA. Decompression of the bilateral neural foramina is also accomplished during this procedure, as is resection of the posterior longitudinal ligament after the discectomy. Implants are usually impacted under a combination of direct vision and fluoroscopy after careful endplate preparation and testing. Patients are typically discharged on surgical day 1 or 2, wearing a soft collar for comfort.
There was an arthroplasty of the cervical disk at the C5-6 level. CDA presents a motion-sparing option to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and has the potential to minimize neighboring segment disease, while further studies are needed to fully assess its benefits and expanding indications. In order to achieve the best possible results, it is still essential to pick patients wisely and use correct surgical technique.
