title: Posterior Cervical Transfacet Fusion with Facetal Spacer for the Treatment of Single-Level Cervical Radiculopathy: A Randomized, Controlled Prospective Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Single-level cervical radiculopathy may be treated conservatively with cervical tractions. Posterior cervical transfacet fusion with a facetal spacer is a viable option. The aim of the present study is to compare posterior cervical transfacet fusion with conservative physical treatment in single-level cervical radiculopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 80 patients were randomized in 2 groups, a surgical group in which patients were given posterior cervical transfacet fusion and a traction group in which patients were treated conservatively with mechanical cervical tractions. Visual analog scale for arm and neck, Neck Disability Index, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires were administered preoperatively and after treatment up to 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment, visual analog scale arm scores were greater in traction group (4.7 vs. 1.5 the day after treatment) and at follow-up controls (traction group vs. surgical group: 5.3 vs. 0.6 at 1 month, 3.6 vs. 0.3 at 6 months, 1.8 vs. 0.2 at 12 months). Neck Disability Index scores were lower in the surgical group (surgical group vs. traction group: 4.4 vs. 20.3 at 1 month, 1.3 vs. 10.5 at 6 months). SF-36 scores were greater in the surgical group (surgical group vs. traction group: 96 vs. 70 at 1 month, 96.5 vs. 82.6 at 6 months). Neck disability index and SF-36 scores were superimposable between the groups at 12-month follow-up. No adjacent-segment arthrosis or late complications were reported at 1-year follow-up in the surgical group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  posterior cervical transfacet fusion is a safe and effective procedure to treat single-level cervical radiculopathy.
authors.affiliation: Neurological Center of Latium, Neurosurgery, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lenzi
authors.affiliation: Neurological Center of Latium, Neurosurgery, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nardone
authors.affiliation: Neurological Center of Latium, Neurosurgery, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Passacantilli
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caporlingua
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lapadula
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: capor51@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caporlingua
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000072700:Conservative Treatment; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014143:Traction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Cervical disc herniation; Cervical manipulation; Cervical radiculopathy; Cervical stenosis; Cervical transfacet fusion; Mechanical cervical traction; Minimally invasive surgery; Percutaneous cervical fusion; Posterior cervical fusion; Randomized controlled study