Cervical & Thoracic Services:

Anterior Cervical Discectomy: Dr. Shehadi has done hundreds of these operations successfully. This is also known as ACDF. It is the surgical operation done under general anesthesia. The goal is to decompress compressed cervical nerve roots or the spinal cord which is causing you neck and/or arm pain. Anterior refers to the approach, which means your operation is on the front of your neck, usually the righthand side. We gently retract the esophagus and windpipe over to access the spinal column. Then, using gently microsurgical technique, we surgically remove the diseased disc and fill that space with a solid bone graft or medical device spacer filled with a little bone putty to eventually create a stable bone fusion. Success rates for ACDF surgery in our hands is about 95%. This surgery can be done as an inpatient or as an outpatient depending on other medical conditions that the patient has. If the patient is otherwise, relatively healthy, then outpatient surgery is appropriate. For outpatient surgery we use an ambulatory surgical center called, the Upper Arlington Surgical Center (UASC). However, if there are multiple comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes or obesity, then an inpatient surgery in a hospital setting would be safer and more appropriate. A cervical Collar is worn for a few weeks after surgery. Off work, usually for 6 weeks after surgery. Risks of anterior cervical surgery are small, and including risk of dysphagia, which is trouble swallowing for a few weeks after surgery, bleeding or infection, or hoarse voice. Added all together, in general, approximately 7% change of any complication and 93% change all would go well. Naturally, we customize the care of each patient, since no two patients are identical. We aim to exceed patient expectations. Anterior Cervical Corpectomy: A surgical procedure in which vertebral bone and intervertebral disc material is removed to relieve pressure on the spin. Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement: A surgical procedure in which a damaged or degenerated cervical disc is removed and replacing it with an artificial disc device. Posterior Cervical Laminectomy: A surgical procedure in which the bony roof (or laminae) of the spinal canal, as well as any soft tissue which may also be causing compression is carefully removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Instrumented Fusion: A procedure in which instruments such as rods, plates, and screws are used to help bones in the spine fuse, or grow together. Kyphoplasty: An image-guided procedure in which a balloon is inserted into a fractured vertebra to create a cavity. A special bone cement is injected into the cavity to stabilize the bone and prevent worsening of the fracture. Kyphoplasty is often used to treat spinal compression fractures. Thoracic Spine Fusion: A spinal fusion performed in order to provide spinal decompression and pain relief due to compressed nerves in the spine, lower and middle back.