[Preliminary application of anterior uncovertebral joint resection in cervical spondylotic treatment].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect and safety of the anterior uncovertebral joint resection in treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy accompanied by radiculopathy.


METHODS
From March 2002 to July 2004, 9 patients (5 males, 4 females; aged 38-66) with cervical spondylotic myelopathy accompanied by radiculopathy underwent the anterior uncovertebral joint resection and discectomy using the titanium cage implantation. There were 6 unilateral and 3 bilateral compressed nerve roots.


RESULTS
During the follow-up for 3-16 months, CT scanning or X-ray films revealed that all the patients improved with an enlargement of the intervertebral foramen, and MRI demonstrated that compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots vanished. Seven patients had a relief in the radicular pain although the other 2 still had a residual pain. All the patients improved to some extent in symptoms of myelopathy. No patient suffered vertebral artery injury during the operation.


CONCLUSIONS
The uncovertebral joint resection can directly decompress the nerve roots. The key to avoidance of an injury to the vertebral artery is a good understanding of the regional anatomy and a good performance of the operation.
Cheng
Jun
J
Hospital Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan, 610041, PR China.
Liu
Hao
H
Lin
Xu
X