Anterior cervical discectomy--a basis for planning nursing care.

Anterior cervical discectomy with or without fusion may be necessary to alleviate the symptoms of cervical disc syndrome when conservative management fails. Nursing care of these patients is important in ensuring optimum recovery and restoring function. In this article, a review of the pathophysiology precedes consideration of assessment parameters and diagnostic testing. Conservative management is discussed. Preoperative care and the surgical procedure itself are described. The role of the nurse in the postoperative period is emphasized.