A consecutive series of eighty-three patients treated with anterior interbody disc excision and bone-grafting has been presented. A good clinical result was achieved by only 36 per cent of the patients and roentgenographic evidence of fusion at all levels grafted occurred in only 56 per cent. A one-level grafting procedure gave a better chance of fusion (68 per cent) and the lumbosacral interspace became solid slightly more frequently than more cephalad interspaces. Postoperative cast immobilization significantly improved the fusion rate.
We concluded that the reported differences in success with this technique are attributable chiefly to the interpretation of clinical and roentgenographic factors by different authors and to the type of patients selected for this procedure. We believe that this technique should be utilized as a salvage procedure only in those infrequent cases in which posterolateral grafting is inadvisable because of infection or unusally extensive scarring.