Clark Memorial Physician Offers Innovative Neck Surgery

Dr. Joselito Millan, neurosurgeon at Clark Memorial Hospital, is the first physician in the region to perform an innovative procedure to rid patients of pain around the neck and back.

The BAK/C (Cervical Interbody Fusion System) procedure involved a screw-like cage being implanted into the patient’s spine, helping to stabilize the back. Dr. Millan is one of the first physicians in the United States to offer this procedure to his patients.

Referred to as a bulging disc, herniated disc and pinched nerve, degenerative disc disease is a deteriorating condition of the spine causing pain and discomfort in the neck. Degenerative disc disease is typically associated with the aging process; however, injuries from trauma and athletics, as well as smoking and a poor diet, can contribute to the disease.

Patients with degenerative disc disease may experience pain in their neck, shoulder, and arm, along with decreased strength and abnormal sensations in the arm.

When discs between vertebrae deteriorate, the vertebrae grate or rub against each other with movement. This causes the vertebrae to pinch or rub against very sensitive nerves that lead down to the arms and hands. This can cause shaking in the arms or hands, numbness, and severe to immobilizing neck pain.

To prevent the vertebrae from continuing to rub against one another, patients often investigate a number of treatment options to relieve the pain ranging from conservative treatment like physical therapy and chiropractic treatments, to surgical procedures to mend or fuse the vertebrae back together.

When fusing the bone back together, the patient goes through a procedure known as anterior cervical disc removal where deteriorated portions of the bone and disc are removed from the vertebrae. Once the bone that was fractured or chipped away is removed, the patient has three options to choose from to fuse the bone back together.

• The area of the vertebrae can be refilled with bone taken from his or her body (autograft). The bone is taken from the patient’s hip in a previous surgery, requiring the patient to undergo two invasive procedures.
• The area of the vertebrae can be refilled with bone taken from a cadaver or organ donor (allograft). With this procedure, the patient runs the risk of rejecting the donor bone.
• The area of the vertebrae can be filled with the titanium cage that is similar to a hollow screw with holes in it. The cage is then filled with the original bone taken earlier in the procedure. The titanium cage is implanted between the vertebrae for immobilization, reconstruction and stability. This helps to decrease the patient’s pain and restore the height of the spine.

The cage implant is wedged between the vertebrae in the spine for immobilization, reconstruction and stability of the spine, explains Dr. Millan.

"The procedure is performed while the patient is under a general anesthetic and usually takes about an hour to 90 minutes," said Dr. Millan. "The patient usually goes home after an overnight stay, with follow-up visits scheduled to monitor his or her recovery."

Dr. Millan received his medical degree from the College of Medicine, University of Philippines and completed residencies at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in neurology, general surgery and neurosurgery.

For more information on BAK/C (Cervical Interbody Fusion System), contact Dr. Millan’s office at (812) 283-5739.

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