Cervical spondylosis: a review of 230 cases

Between January 1981 and March 1991, 230 patients of cervical spondylosis were treated surgically. The choice of surgical approach was dependent on clinicoradiological presentation. Anterior discectomy was performed in 105 cases decompressive laminectomy in 119 cases and combined approach in 6 cases. In anterior discectomy group 89% showed improvement, 4% remained unchanged and 7% worsened. In decompressive laminectomy group 68% improved, 15% unchanged, 15% worsened and 1.6% died. In combined approach 66% showed improvement, 17% remained unchanged and 17% died. Anterior discectomy had less risk of overall complications than decompressive laminectomy.