Minimally Invasive Cervical Spine Surgery: Difference between Anterior & Posterior

What is the difference between anterior and posterior approach to a minimally invasive cervical spine surgery for a herniated disc? Dr. Seth Neubardt demonstrates in this educational cervical spine surgery video.
Anterior means from the front and posterior from the back. So, when a surgeon takes an anterior approach to minimally invasive cervical spine surgery for a herniated disc, he or she goes in through the front of the neck area. A posterior approach would mean an incision in the back of the neck.
Dr. Neubardt says some of his patients ask why a surgeon would go in through the front of the neck instead of the back. It is actually quite simple and safe, he says. With the anterior approach, it is very easy for the surgeon to avoid important structures such as the esophagus, carotid artery and trachea.
An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with incision in the front of the neck area is the most common surgical procedure used to treat a cervical herniated disc. Watch this video • Anterior Cervical Disc... to learn more about the ACDF procedure.
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Also visit the website at www.cervicalher... to find out everything you want to know about a herniated disc in the neck and cervical spine surgery options as well as your options for non-surgical treatment.