Anterior cervical graftless fusion for soft disc protrusion. A review of 509 disc excisions in 476 patients.

A series of 509 disc excisions in 476 consecutive patients is reported. All excisions were for radiologically confirmed disc protrusion. Ninety-one per cent fusion occurred at the discectomy levels. Good symptomatic improvement of brachialgia (89%) was achieved with 73% improvement of neck pain but only 53% improvement of headache. Equivalent results to anterior interbody fusion with fewer complications indicate that anterior cervical discectomy should be considered for the management of cervical disc protrusion.