Anterior uncoforaminotomy in the treatment of recurrent radiculopathy after anterior cervical discectomy with fusion.
BACKGROUND
In patients after anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) with fusion newly developed retrospondylophytes or incomplete decompression of the nerve root can cause recurrent radicular pain. Anterior cervical uncoforaminotomy (uncoforaminotomy) is an operative method which removes the causative degenerative pathology at the level of the neural foramen leaving untouched the inserted graft at this level.


METHODS
Between February 2004 and April 2005, 7 patients underwent uncoforaminotomy after ACD with fusion for the treatment of recurrent cervical radiculopathy in our neurosurgical department. Prior to treatment patients received a computed tomography (CT) and a neurological examination. Anterior uncoforaminotomy was performed thereafter (for technical details see publication by Jho, 1996). A postoperative CT scan was done before discharge. Follow-up examination was performed eight weeks after surgery.


RESULTS
Five patients underwent the operation at C5/6, one patient was operated at C6/7 and one patient had the operation at two levels (C5/6 and C6/7). At discharge six patients had excellent or good results.


CONCLUSIONS
Uncoforaminotomy is a good method for the treatment of newly acquired spondylotic spurs in the foramen or incomplete osseous decompression after ACD with fusion and recurrent radicular pain.
Pechlivanis
I
I
Department of Neurosurgery, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Bochum-Langendreer, Germany. ioannis.pechlivanis@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Brenke
C
C
Scholz
M
M
Engelhardt
M
M
Harders
A
A
Schmieder
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed