Social and economic outcome after posterior microforaminotomy for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy

Between 1993 and 1998, the surgical technique of posterior cervical foraminotomy as described by Frykholm, with individual cervical nerve root decompression had been applied at the Neurosurgical Department of the University of Vienna. We conducted a retrospective study to assess the functional and socio-economic outcome. Thirty-two patients were included in this study, 21 men and 11 women with a median age of 48 years (range 30 to 70 years). Prior to surgical management, median duration of symptoms had been 7 weeks (range 1-50 weeks), with cervicobrachialgia in 28 of the patients, 27 of the patients had sustained radicular sensory loss, and in 25 of the patients radicular paresis occurred. Measured by the Prolo Functional Economic Outcome Rating Scale, 64% of the patients were classified with a good outcome (scale 8-10), 18% of the patients were classified with a moderate outcome (scale 5-7), and 18% of the patients were classified with a poor outcome (scale < 5). Two of the patients required additional anterior cervical discectomy and one patient suffered a superficial wound infection which needed surgical drainage. This study confirms that posterior microforaminotomy is a useful technique for degenerative disease causing cervical radiculopathy with the advantage of avoiding fusion and immobilisation. Criteria for evaluating the results of treating cervical spinal disorders vary widely. Comparative analyses of outcome among different therapy protocols are compromised by the diversity among the groups studied, as well as by the varying methods of measuring success. We propose a scale based on the socio-economic and functional status of the patient before and after treatment This scale is easily applicable and can delineate pre- and postoperative conditions of patients. A more universal acceptance of common criteria for judging the outcome of spinal operations should facilitate comparisons among various methods of treatment.