Comparison of Surgical Results between Anterior Cervical Interbody Fusion(ACIF) and Microsurgical Anterior Cervical Foraminotomy(MACF) for Cervical Disc Herniation

Lee, Jang Chul; Lee, Chang Young; Son, Eun Ik; Kim, Dong Won; Yim, Man Bin; Kim, In Hong

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Until recently anterior cervical discectomy with or without bone fusion has been widely used for the treatment of cervical disc herniation. After introduction of the microsurgical anterior cervical foraminotomy(MACF), there has been a tendency to preserve the functioning motion segment. But some worried about technical difficulties and complications such as injury to the vertebral artery. This study is to compare the short-term results of anterior cervical interbody fusion(ACIF) with that of MACF.
METHODS
We reviewed medical records of 40 patients, 20 patients of ACIF performed during 30 months and 20 patients of MACF performed during 8 months.
RESULTS
The average length of stay in the hospital was longer in cases of ACIF(12.9 days) than in those of MACF(7.1 days). The rate of the symptom relief within 1 day was higher in MACF(90%) than in ACIF(70%). The overall satisfaction experienced by the patients after surgery was higher in MACF(85%) than in ACIF(70%). The rate of the recommendation for surgical treatment to other people was higher in MACF(85%) than in ACIF(65%). But the differences were not significant statistically. The major complication was bone donor site pain in ACIF cases and neck and shoulder pain in MACF cases.
CONCLUSION
This data demonstrate that MACF is of value in the treatment of cervical disc herniation, which can be performed with safety and good outcome like conventional ACIF.