Long term outcome after cervical foraminotomy

• Published in: Journal of clinical neuroscience 2000-07, Vol.7 (4), p.312-315
• Main Authors: Woertgen, Chris, Rothoerl, Ralf Dirk, Henkel, Jan, Brawanski, Alexander
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; cervical disc herniation, foraminotomy, prognostic factors; Cervical Vertebrae - pathology; Cervical Vertebrae - physiopathology; Cervical Vertebrae - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intervertebral Disc - pathology; Intervertebral Disc - physiopathology; Intervertebral Disc - surgery; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - pathology; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - physiopathology; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - surgery; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Orthopedic surgery; Prospective Studies; Recovery of Function; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0967-5868; 1532-2653
• DOI: 10.1054/jocn.1999.0669

We recently demonstrated the effectiveness of dorsal foraminotomy in lateral herniated cervical disc after 1 year follow-up in a prospective study.1The goal of this paper is to confirm these results concerning long term outcome. We carried out a prospective, consecutive study on 54 patients, operated on for lateral herniated cervical disc. We analysed demographic data, the case history, the neurological examination on admission and imaging data. Ninety per cent were followed up for 3.5 years postoperatively. According to their ratings on a pain scale the group were divided into favourable and unfavourable outcomes. These groups were analysed in relation to the patient’s initial condition. At follow up, 90% of patients showed complete recovery or improvement. A long standing preoperative neurological deficit seems to be an important prognostic factor for unfavourable long term outcome after cervical foraminotomy.