In a study published in Spine, researchers compared patient outcomes for those undergoing single-level total disc replacement in the cervical spine versus those undergoing single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in an ambulatory surgery center.
Fifty-five patients underwent TDR and 55 patients received ACDF.
Here are five insights:
1. The study did not find any significant intergroup differences in terms of visual analog scale neck and arm scores or in neck disability index scores.
2. In both groups, patients complained the most about dysphagia, postoperatively.
3. TDR patients demonstrated statistically significant intragroup improvements in VAS neck and arm pain scores as well as NDI scores.
4. The study revealed no patients experienced serious complications, hemotoma formation or worsening pain following the procedure.
5. Researchers concluded surgeons may safely perform TDR procedures in ASCs with positive clinical and patient-reported outcomes, compared to ACDF.