Cervical Spine Surgical Anterior Approach Transverse surgeon animations. Illustrates the surgical technique for performing an anterior approach to the cervical spine using a transverse skin incision. Also shown is the patient position, skin preparation and incision, and the surgical approach by incising or retracting the intervening muscles. This procedure is used to remove one or more vertebral bodies and the adjacent intervertebral discs that are causing uncontrollable pain or are compressing the adjacent spinal cord or nerve roots. A metal cage is filled with bone chips and is used to replace the excised tissue and maintain correct alignment. An anterior plate is used to ensure stability while fusion occurs. Visit http://www.medilaw.tv for more information. Cervical Spine Surgical Anterior Approach Transverse surgeon animations.