Comparison between open procedure and tubular retractor assisted procedure for cervical radiculopathy: results of a randomized controlled study.
Posterior cervical foraminotomy is an effective surgical technique for the treatment of radicular pain caused by foraminal stenosis or posterolateral herniated discs. The present study was performed to compare the clinical parameters and surgical outcomes of open foraminotomy/discectomy (OF/OFD) and tubular retractor assisted foraminotomy/discectomy (TAF/TAFD) in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy. A total of 41 patients were divided into two groups: 19 patients in Group 1 underwent OF/OFD and 22 patients in Group 2 underwent TAF/TAFD. Among the various clinical parameters, skin incision size, length of hospital stay, analgesic using time, and postoperative neck pain (for the first 4 weeks after the operation) were favorable in Group 2. Surgical outcomes were not different between the two groups. In conclusion, TAF/TAFD should increase patient's compliance and is as clinically effective as much as the OF/OFD.
Kim
Kyoung-Tae
KT
Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Young-Baeg
YB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics