Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for subaxial cervical spine injuries; management challenges and early outcome in a neurosurgical center

This study looks at the results of ACDF surgery for subaxial cervical spine injuries (SCSIs) in a neurosurgical center in sub-Saharan Africa. ACDF involves removing a damaged disc in the neck and fusing the bones together to stabilize the spine. The study found that ACDF can lead to good results, especially for patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. However, there were challenges such as patients arriving late for treatment, limited access to emergency medical services and rehabilitation, and low insurance coverage. The most common problem after surgery was difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), but this usually got better on its own. The authors suggest that improvements are needed in emergency care, insurance coverage, and rehabilitation services to improve outcomes for patients with these injuries.

• 1
  ACDF is associated with good outcomes in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury, with a mean recovery rate of 84.75%.
• 2
  Late presentation (>48 h after injury), ASIA A injuries, and high SLIC scores were associated with higher complication rates.
• 3
  Dysphagia was the most common complication (35.8%), but most cases were mild and self-limiting.