Method of anterior diskectomy with placement of bone graft (usu. harvested from ilium) into empty disk space. Depth of interspace is measured and a drill is positioned with aid of drill guide, hole is made overlying empty disk space with preservation of posterior cervical rim of adjacent vertebral bodies, and Cloward bone dowel is passed transversely through ilium avoiding iliac crest (after skin incision is made just below iliac crest and anterior muscles are stripped off). Procedure requires use of cervical collar for 8Ð12 weeks postop.