Dr Adriaan Liebenberg My Spine Cervical | Page 106

Figure 16.1
In the top picture a patient is posi-
tioned in the standard way for an
anterior cervical discectomy. The
machine in the picture is called a
fluoroscopy machine and takes X-
rays of the neck so that the special-
ist can constantly monitor the oper-
ation. There is a soft ring for the
head to rest on. A bolster or small
cushion is placed under the neck
and shoulder blades to stabilise and
also to extend the neck in order to
slightly open up the discs in the
front. This facilitates removal of the
disc.
The second drawing shows the
anatomical location of the bony
spine in the neck.
The third drawing shows that the
specialist has made the incision
and has dissected down to the
spine. The space is held open with
hand held retractors. ote how you
can see the vertebrae and the discs.
In the next set of drawings we will
see the introduction of retractors
that stay open on their own and
allow the specialist and assistant to
use their hands freely.
Images used with permission from Medtronic
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