Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) was a procedure developed by Drs. Smith, Robinson, and Southwick. Dr. Southwick trained Dr. Augustus White in this procedure at Yale and Dr. White then trained Dr. Petersen in this procedure at Harvard. ACDF is performed through a small, horizontal and cosmetic incision in the front of the neck.
The purpose is to rebuild degenerative discs and to remove herniated discs and bone spurs to relieve nerve pressure/arm pain, spinal cord pressure and decrease neck pain/headaches.