Evidence-Based Spine-Care Journal

Systematic review—Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (...) AbstrAct Study design: Systematic review Study rationale: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a proven, effective treatment for relieving neck pain due to degenerative conditions of the cervical spine. Since most patients also present with radiculopathy or myelopathy, little is known as to the effectiveness of ACDF to relieve pain and improve function in patients without radicular or myelopathic symptoms. Objective: To examine the clinical outcome in patients undergoing (ACDF) for axial neck pain with-out radicular or myelopathic symptoms. Methods: A systematic review was undertaken for articles published up to March 2010. Electronic da-tabases and reference lists of key articles were searched to identify studies evaluating ACDF for the treatment of axial neck pain only. Radiculopathy and myelopathy, patients who suffered severe trauma, or with tumor/metastatic disease or infection were excluded. Two independent reviewers assessed the strength of evidence using the grading of recommendations assessment, develop ment and evaluation (GRADE) system, and disagreements were resolved by consensus