POSTERIOR CERVICAL LAMINOFORAMINOTOMY FOR RADICULOPATHY - REVIEW OF 172 CASES

LAMINOFORAMINOTOMY PERFORMED WITH the patient in the sitting position with our improved techniques represents an effective treatment for cer vical radiculopathy. We present the results of laminoforaminotomies pe rformed in 172 patients with cervical radiculopathy during a 7-year pe riod. The posterior approach in the surgical management of cervical ra diculopathy is not only acceptable, but in certain cases is preferable to the anterior approach. When the abnormality is central, broad base d and anterior, posterior procedures are unlikely to achieve decompres sion. However, with lateral or foraminal nerve root compression, the s impler posterior keyhole laminoforaminotomy works well. In our opinion , physicians advocating either procedure exclusively are not providing the patient with the optimal level of care. Our purpose is to present in detail our surgical technique in conjunction with an analysis of o ur long-term results in clinical situations in which our technique is clearly indicated.