Microsurgical anterior cervical disk removal without interbody infusion.

A series of 57 patients with root syndromes or compressive myelopathy were operated upon by a modified Cloward technique. No bone grafts were used. The patients were observed for 6 months to 5 years after surgery. Of the 47 patients with radiculopathy, 44 were cured and three complained of minor pains in their arms. Of the 10 patients with myelopathy, three were greatly improved, five were slightly improved, and two remained unchanged. In 100% of these cases, immobilization of the involved interspace occurred within a year. The surgical technique is discussed.