• B Lied, P A Rønning, C M Halvorsen, K Ekseth, and E Helseth.
• Oslofjordklinikken, Oslo, Norway. libb@uus.no
• Acta Neurol. Scand. 2013 Jan 1; 127 (1): 31-7.

ObjectivesTo evaluate surgical complications and clinical outcome in a consecutive series of 96 patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical disk degeneration (CDD) in an outpatient setting.MethodsPre-, per-, and postoperative data on patients undergoing single- or two-level outpatient ACDF at the private Oslofjord Clinic were prospectively collected.ResultsThis study includes 96 consecutive patients with a mean age of 49.1 years. 36/96 had a two-level ACDF. Mean postoperative observation time before discharge was 350 min, and 95/96 were successfully discharged either to their home or to a hotel on the day of surgery. The surgical mortality was 0%, while the surgical morbidity rate was 5.2%. Two (2.1%) patients developed postoperative hematoma, 2 (2.1%) patients experienced postoperative dysphagia, and 1 (1%) experienced deterioration of neurological function. Radicular pain, neck pain, and headache decreased significantly after surgery. 91% of patients were satisfied with the surgery, according to the NASSQ.ConclusionACDF in carefully selected patients with CDD appears to be safe in the outpatient setting, provided a sufficient postoperative observation period. The clinical outcome and patient satisfaction of outpatients are comparable to that of inpatients.© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

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