Anterior Cervical Corpectomy
An anterior cervical corpectomy is a surgical intervention performed to remove the damaged vertebrae and intervertebral disc from the spine in the neck. In particular, a corpectomy is a procedure that removes damaged vertebrae and intervertebral discs that are crushing the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Anterior means the front of the body, while cervical means the spine in the neck.
Moreover, a corpectomy is almost similar to a procedure called discectomy, as both procedures are performed to treat similar conditions. However, the main difference is that corpectomy is a more complex and vast procedure. This is performed when the disease enlarges beyond the areas that can't be treated with discectomy. Discectomy stands for removing the damaged part of the disc and bone spurs, whereas, in corpectomy, the disc, bone, spurs, and vertebrae are removed.
Reasons to perform anterior cervical corpectomy
An anterior cervical corpectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed when the patients have felt some degenerative changes in the cervical spine that leads to the formation of bone spurs (bony projection) or herniated disc. These chances can occupy space required by the spinal cord and nerves within the spinal canal. These changes cause stenosis and narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal cord and nerves can be pinched and sometimes injured. Corpectomy is also needed if the vertebrae are damaged by trauma, tumors or deformity.
Surgery is only recommended when the other alternative and non surgical treatment fail to relieve the symptoms such as pain medication and physical therapy. Surgery is only advisable if the spinal cord is at risk of damage.
Some of the certain conditions that need surgery include:
- When non surgical treatment fails to respond to the symptoms.
- Severe pain
- Pinched spinal cord or compressed.
- Progressive neurologic deficit.
- Numbness or weakness on legs and arms.
- Loss of bladder control
- Loss of bowel control
- Problem in walking
- Disablement of coordinated movements of the hands
Understanding the procedure of anterior cervical corpectomy
- Before starting the procedure, a patient is given an anesthesia to let the patient be in a deep sleep state.
- Then, the neurosurgeon makes an incision on the front of the neck, clearing aside muscle and other tissue to open the bones of the spinal column.
- The surgeon removes the damaged vertebrae and both attached discs above and below the damaged vertebrae. This procedure is known as decompression that relieves pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
- To ensure the stability of the spinal column, the surgeon performs the spinal fusion. During the spinal fusion the surgeon fills the left over space by the discs and vertebrae with an implant. This implant helps to fulfill the left over space, and gives the spine strength and stability.
- A strut is a graft that is implanted. This is a piece of bone about 1-2 inches in length. This strut is available at the bone bank or from the patient's own body. This strut graft is inserted into the left over space in the spinal column and tightened in the position with titanium screws and plates. Once the graft bone fuses, it grows together with bone. Bony fusion is important to long term stability of the spinal.
Cost of anterior cervical corpectomy in India
The cost of anterior cervical corpectomy in India is lower and affordable than other countries. India is among leading nations to provide the best quality in care and most reasonable prices. International patients approach India for better quality of treatment and that too with the most advanced technology.
Multilingual staff make it more approachable with no language barrier. Indeed, India is among the top leading nations to achieve goals of best facilities and services.
The total cost of the treatment may depend upon various factors such as the expertise of the doctors, location of hospital, reputation of the doctor and hospital, type of treatment and more.
Summary
An anterior cervical corpectomy is a surgical intervention performed to remove the damaged vertebrae and intervertebral disc from the spine in the neck.
Moreover, a corpectomy is almost similar to a procedure called discectomy, as both procedures are performed to treat similar conditions.
India is among the top leading nations to achieve goals of best facilities, services and to provide the best quality in care and most reasonable prices.
