How would this procedure be reported?
A 50-year-old male undergoes anterior arthrodesis of the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar spine for degenerative disc disease. After one disc is excised and the end plates are prepared for fusion, a similar excision procedure of an additional disc and preparation of the end plates for fusion are performed.
Description of Procedure: The incision and dissection of superficial muscles are extended to accommodate additional retraction of deep tissues. Additional segmental vessels are ligated and cut to provide further reflection of the great vessels. Muscle attachments to the anteromedial edges of the vertebral bodies are reflected over the additional segment, and retractors are repositioned. The periosteum is reflected from the bone of the additional segments. A marker is placed at the disc to confirm by X ray whether there is any question as to the location. The anterior longitudinal ligament and anterior fibers of the annulus are removed by sharp dissection. The nucleus and cartilaginous end plates are removed by curettage. The bony end plates are removed using bone-cutting instruments. The cancellous bone of the vertebral bodies is exposed with the prepared site under distraction and with the space stability and absence of protrusion against surrounding soft tissues.
