Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Spine Fusion Techniques in Children

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion can be a useful technique in children, just as in adults; however, even in teenagers there can be serious size considerations.

• Evaluate spine for fit for device(s): It is important to use radiographs preoperatively to size materials that will be needed for the fusion.
• Select device fillers if needed: Implant devices typical require filler material that can be local bone, allograft, bonemorphogeneticprotein, or bone marrow aspirate. This needs to be considered and, in the case of bone morphogeneticprotein, carefully weighed given controversy over its use and correct dosing (58, 59).