ABSTRACT
Age-related degenerative changes in osseocartilaginous structures of the cervical spine are found in 50% of middle-aged population that is able to work. Although most cases are asymptomatic, such changes as herniated intervertebral disks, marginal osteophyte formation, hypertrophied joint and ligaments are the reason for neurological symptoms and cause neck pain, radiculopathy, and myelopathy. Surgical access to the cervical vertebrae and options for spinal decompression have long been known and standardized. There are also many methods (both anterior and posterior ones) for fixing the operated segments. This article describes minimally invasive anterior fusion used for patients with multilevel cervical spinal stenosis using zero-profile cages with a blocking mechanism. Statistical analysis of clinical efficacy of this treatment was also performed. It demonstrates that advantages of the chosen decompression and fixation method are as follows: it is minimally invasive and ensures that surgical trauma is minimal, so patients recover quickly.
