Cervical disc herniations and degenerative disc disease can compress spinal nerves or the spinal cord, causing neck pain, arm pain, weakness, or numbness. When conservative treatments fail, Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) provides relief by removing the damaged disc, decompressing neural structures, and stabilising the segment. This procedure approaches the spine through the front of the neck, allows direct access to the disc space, and restores proper alignment and stability using an interbody spacer and anterior plate system.
During robotic-assisted ACDF, the patient is positioned supine with a slight neck extension. A transverse incision is made along a neck skin crease, and soft tissues are carefully dissected to expose the anterior spine. The robotic system is registered to the patient's anatomy, creating a precise 3D map. The disc is identified and removed under robotic guidance, ensuring complete decompression of neural structures. The robotic arm assists with optimal endplate preparation and helps determine the ideal size and placement of the interbody spacer.
After spacer insertion, the system guides plate positioning and screw trajectories, ensuring appropriate depth and angulation while avoiding the spinal cord, nerve roots, and vertebral arteries. This precision potentially reduces complications while providing immediate stability and optimal conditions for fusion to occur.
