Anterior cervical microforaminotomy for spondylotic cervical myelopathy: part 2.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior microforaminotomy for spondylotic cervical myelopathy is reported with surgical results. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed for 40 patients with spondylotic cervical myelopathy who had been surgically treated with anterior microforaminotomy at the University of Pittsburgh between April 1994 and june 1999. Age ranged from 32 to 74 years (median, 51 yr). Twenty-eight patients were men, and 12 were women. All had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans preoperativly. All underwent MRI scans and dynamic roentgenograms 6 weeks after the operation. The duration of follow-up ranged from 24 months to 86 months (median, 42 mo). RESULTS: Twenty-eight patents (70%) had radiculopathy in addition to their myelopathy. Single-level operations were performed in 13 patients (32.55), two-level operations in 19 patents (47.5%), three-level operations in 5 patients (12.5%), and four-level operations in 3 patients. Eleven patients (27.5%) had excellent results, 21 patients (52.5%) had good results, and 8 patients (20%) had unchanged results 6 weeks after the operation. Thirty-five patients (87.5%) were discharged the day of or the day after their operation, in all patients, MRI scans revealed good anatomic decompression, and dynamic roentgenograms revealed good stability, Postoperative complications included - deltoid weakness in one patient and temporary voice fatigue in another patent. In a final survey of 30 patients, 16 patients (53.3%) experienced excellent results, 11 patents (36.6%) experienced good results, and 3 patients (10%) experienced unchanged results. Final outcome survey with modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score is reported in 25 patients. CONCLUSION: Anterior microforminatomy provided good to excellent surgical resuits in 80% of the patients with minimal morbidities 6 weeks after the operation and in 90% of the patients at long-term follow-up. Spinal stablity was well maintained in all patients.