title: Full-endoscopic anterior decompression versus conventional anterior decompression and fusion in cervical disc herniations.
abstract: Anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) is the standard for cervical discectomies. With the full-endoscopic anterior cervical discectomy (FACD) a minimally invasive procedure is available. The objective of this prospective, randomised, controlled study was to compare the results of FACD with those of ACDF in mediolateral soft disc herniations. A total of 103 patients with ACDF or FACD were followed up for two years. In addition to general parameters specific measuring instruments were used. Postoperatively 85.9% of the patients no longer had arm pain, and 10.1% had occasional pain. There were no significant clinical differences between the decompression with or without fusion. The full-endoscopic technique afforded advantages in operation technique, rehabilitation and soft tissue injury. The recorded results show that FACD is a sufficient and safe alternative to conventional procedures when the indication criteria are fulfilled. At the same time, it offers the advantages of a minimally invasive intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery and Pain Therapy, Center for Orthopaedics and Traumatology, St. Anna-Hospital Herne, University of Witten/Herdecke, Hospitalstrasse 19, 44649, Herne, Germany. info@s-ruetten.com
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruetten
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Komp
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Merk
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Godolias
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome