Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to schedule a consultation, we’re here to help you take the next step toward a pain-free life.
Anterior cervical corpectomy is a specialized spine surgery that removes one or more damaged vertebral bodies to relieve severe spinal cord compression. Unlike standard discectomy, which removes only the disc between vertebrae, corpectomy removes the entire vertebral body along with the discs above and below it. This advanced technique is often necessary for conditions like OPLL (ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament), severe multilevel cervical stenosis, and cervical myelopathy with vertebral body involvement. Dr. Thomas M. Wascher has performed 661+ corpectomies over 33+ years with a permanent complication rate of 0.8%, more than five times better than the medical literature rate of 4.2%.
The removed bone is replaced with a structural graft, typically from a bone bank or synthetic material, which is then stabilized with a metal plate and screws. This reconstruction maintains the height and stability of the cervical spine while allowing the spinal cord to decompress and heal. Dr. Wascher uses microscopic techniques that result in smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and faster recovery times compared to traditional open approaches.
Corpectomy may involve one level, two levels, or more depending on the extent of compression. Dr. Wascher sometimes combines corpectomy with discectomy in a hybrid approach for complete decompression.
Permanent Complication Rate:
Dr. Wascher: 0.8%
Medical Literature: 4.2%
5X SAFER than national averages
661+ Corpectomies Performed
33+ Years of Data
(September 1992 - December 2025)
99.7% of patients report improvement
Patient J - Complex OPLL
Multilevel C4-C5 corpectomy
Complete fusion at 3 months
Resumed guitar playing at 1 year
Excellent functional recovery
Corpectomy is recommended when spinal cord compression originates from the vertebral body itself rather than just the disc space. Common conditions that may require corpectomy include:
OPLL (Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament): When calcium deposits behind the vertebral bodies compress the spinal cord, corpectomy provides direct access to remove the offending bone and ligament.
Severe Cervical Stenosis: When multilevel narrowing of the spinal canal causes progressive myelopathy, corpectomy can decompress multiple levels through a single anterior approach.
Cervical Myelopathy with Vertebral Body Involvement: When bone spurs, tumors, or fractures within the vertebral body compress the spinal cord and cause hand weakness, gait difficulty, or loss of fine motor control.
Failed Previous Surgery: When prior cervical fusion has collapsed or pseudarthrosis has developed with ongoing spinal cord compression, corpectomy may be needed to achieve adequate decompression and stable fusion.
Dr. Wascher evaluates each patient with advanced imaging (MRI, CT scans) and a thorough neurological examination to determine if corpectomy is the most appropriate surgical option.
Anterior cervical corpectomy is performed under general anesthesia, typically as an outpatient procedure for single-level cases, though multilevel corpectomies may require a short hospital stay.
Dr. Wascher uses a microscopic anterior approach through a small horizontal neck incision, accessing the spine between the trachea and carotid artery without disturbing neck muscles. Using high-powered magnification, he carefully removes the damaged vertebral body and surrounding discs while protecting the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Once the bone is removed and the spinal cord is decompressed, a structural bone graft is placed in the space to maintain spinal height. This graft may come from a bone bank or be a synthetic cage filled with bone-growth material. A titanium plate is then secured with screws above and below the graft to provide immediate stability and promote solid fusion.
The entire procedure is performed with intraoperative neuromonitoring to continuously assess spinal cord and nerve root function, ensuring maximum safety.
Most patients experience immediate relief of myelopathy symptoms, though complete neurological recovery may take several months as the spinal cord heals. Patients typically wear a cervical collar for 6 to 12 weeks to protect the fusion while bone healing occurs.
Physical therapy begins once the collar is removed, focusing on restoring neck strength, range of motion, and overall function. Most patients return to desk work within 4 to 6 weeks and resume full activities within 3 to 6 months, depending on the extent of surgery and individual healing.
Dr. Wascher's microscopic technique results in smaller incisions, less soft tissue disruption, and reduced postoperative pain, with over 80% of procedures performed outpatient. Fusion typically occurs within 3 to 6 months with a 95% success rate, resulting in stable, pain-free spines and significant improvement in myelopathy symptoms.
Vanessa had years of neck pain leaving her unable to even do her daily work. But with Dr. Wascher’s quick and timely intervention that included multiple viewings of MRIs, muscle and nerve tests, followed by a 3-Level Anterior Cervical Fusion, she is now happy without any neck issues. “I can happily say that by following the recommendations of Dr. Wascher, I am now pain-free,” says Vanessa as she talks about how great Dr. Wascher and his team were to work with.
When Nanette experienced deep pain in her shoulder, she got tests performed, only to discover that she, in fact, had issues with her neck instead. After a few MRIs and scans, she contacted Dr. Wascher, who told her that she has bone spurs going into the spinal cord. Within a span of 3 weeks, she was able to go through surgery and get on the road to recovery. “I cannot say enough about Dr. Wascher’s expertise and empathy”, says Nanette as she joins an ever-growing community of people who, through Dr. Wascher and his team, have found happiness again.
Dr. Thomas M. Wascher is one of the few cervical spine specialists in the country who focuses exclusively on the cervical spine, bringing unmatched expertise to complex procedures like corpectomy. With 661+ corpectomies performed over 33+ years, he has achieved a permanent complication rate of 0.8%, more than five times better than the published medical literature rate of 4.2%. Dr. Wascher was valedictorian of his high school, college, and medical school classes and has been named to America's Top Surgeons since 2007 and Best Doctors in America since 2000.
Patients travel to Appleton from across the country and internationally for Dr. Wascher's expertise in complex cervical spine conditions. His philosophy is simple: treat every patient as a family member with a unique approach tailored to their specific condition and goals.
A discectomy removes only the disc between two vertebrae, while a corpectomy removes the entire vertebral body along with the discs above and below it. Corpectomy is a more extensive procedure used when compression comes from the vertebral body itself rather than just the disc space. It provides more thorough decompression for severe spinal cord compression.
Many single-level corpectomies are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to go home the same day. Multilevel corpectomies or more complex cases may require a one- to two-night hospital stay for monitoring. Dr. Wascher performs over 80% of his cervical surgeries on an outpatient basis using minimally invasive techniques.
Dr. Wascher achieves fusion success rates exceeding 95% in corpectomy patients. Fusion typically occurs within 3 to 6 months, confirmed by follow-up imaging. Using structural bone grafts, titanium plating, and precise surgical technique, the vast majority of patients achieve solid, stable fusion with excellent symptom relief.
Yes, corpectomy can be performed at one, two, or occasionally three levels depending on the extent of spinal cord compression. Dr. Wascher has successfully performed multilevel corpectomies for complex conditions like OPLL and severe stenosis. In some cases, he uses a hybrid approach combining corpectomy at one level with discectomy at adjacent levels to achieve optimal decompression.