Cervical Spine (Neck) Surgical Procedures

At The Brain & Spine Institute of North Houston, we focus on the cervical vertebrae and discs of the spine through the following surgical procedures:

• Spinal Fusion
• Decompression with and without Fusion
• Cervical Disc Replacement (cervical arthroplasty) – see video
• Minimally Invasive Cervical Spine Surgeries

Cervical decompression surgery is a procedure that removes any structures compressing the nerves in the neck. If too much of the bony structures pressing on the nerve need to be removed, it can affect the stability of the spine. In such cases, cervical decompression surgery must be combined with cervical fusion surgery. Cervical spinal stenosis is one of the most common reasons for cervical decompression surgery.

Most of the following procedures are performed with the goal of leaving the spinal structure intact. Once the compressing structures have been removed, Dr. Fayaz will evaluate the stability of your spine and determine whether cervical fusion surgery also is needed.

• Anterior Cervical Corpectomy – see video
• Anterior Cervical Corpectomy (Bone Graft) – see video
• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) – see video
• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), with Cage – see video
• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (Intervertebral Spacer) – see video

Anterior Cervical Corpectomy

Anterior Cervical Corpectomy (Bone Graft)

This surgery relieves pressure on the spinal cord and the spinal nerves. It involves the removal of bone and discs from your cervical spine, followed by a fusion.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

This surgery removes a herniated or degenerative vertebral disc in your neck and replaces it with a bone graft. This can relieve painful pressure on spinal nerves.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), with Cage

This surgery replaces a damaged vertebral disc in your neck with a cage containing bone graft. It’s done to relieve painful pressure on spinal nerves.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (Intervertebral Spacer)

This surgery removes a herniated or diseased disc and relieves neck and radiating arm pain caused by parts of the disc pressing on nerve roots.

In general, the goal of minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery is to stabilize the vertebral bones and spinal joints and/or relieve the pressure being applied to the spinal nerves — often a result of conditions such as spinal instability, bone spurs, herniated discs, scoliosis or spinal tumors. As opposed to open spine surgery, minimally invasive surgical approaches can be faster, safer, and require less recovery time. The minimally invasive cervical spine surgeries performed at The Brain & Spine Institute of North Houston include:

• Laminectomy – see video
• Laminectomy (Cervical) – see video
• Laminectomy (Cervical Spine, With Fusion) – see video
• Cervical Posterior Foraminotomy – see video

Laminectomy

This procedure relieves pressure on the nerve roots in the spine. It is most commonly performed to relieve the pain of stenosis. This is a narrowing of the spinal canal that is often caused by the formation of bony growths that can press against the nerve roots. The surgeon may treat one or more vertebrae.

Laminectomy (Cervical)

This procedure removes a section of bone from the rear of one or more vertebrae to relieve the painful and disabling pressure of stenosis.

Laminectomy (Cervical Spine, With Fusion)

This surgery relieves pressure on spinal nerves in your neck. It treats a condition we call “spinal stenosis.” Laminectomy makes more space for these compressed nerves. Then, your spine is stabilized with implants.

Cervical Posterior Foraminotomy

This surgery creates more space for a compressed spinal nerve in your neck. The procedure relieves painful pressure caused by a herniated or degenerative disc.