This article provides information about the indications and surgical anatomy of the anterior cervical discectomy procedure. This procedure is commonly used to treat cervical spine problems such as cervical spondylosis and disc herniation. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a frequently used surgical procedure in the treatment of cervical disc herniations. This procedure can help relieve pain and correct neurological problems in symptomatic patients. The most common causes of ACDF indications include cervical disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, cervical spondylotic myelopathy, traumatic instability, and foraminal stenosis. ACDF can provide central and bilateral foraminal decompression without any manipulation of neural elements. It also provides indirect decompression through disc space height restoration and helps regression of osteophytes and reduction of root compression by limiting the movement of the spinal segment through fusion.

The article describes in detail the skin and surface anatomy of the surgical procedure. Details such as how the skin incision should be made and how the muscles will be opened are examined. It also provides warnings about the vertebral arteries and other vascular structures and important information to pay attention to.