Anterior transvertebral herniotomy for cervical disk herniation

This study analyzed the results of anterior transvertebral herniotomy for c ervical disk herniation to assess the utility of this procedure. Anterior t ransvertebral herniotomy was performed in 24 patients who had cervical disk herniation without spinal canal stenosis. In most patients, a good result was obtained, but simultaneous or subsequent anterior intervertebral fusion was necessary in four patients. In one (4%) patient, the two adjacent vert ebrae had fused spontaneously. The best indication for this treatment judgi ng from the postoperative results is a large disk hernia associated with ei ther myelopathy or radiculopathy, but without spinal canal stenosis.