Health outcome assessment before and after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for radiculopathy - A prospective analysis

Study Design. A prospective assessment, performed using the Health Status Q uestionnaire, of the outcomes for 28 patients with cervical radiculopathy t reated with one- or two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Objective. To assess patient outcome using the Health Status Questionnaire after one- or two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Summary of Background Data. Although outcomes for many types of surgical pr ocedures already have been evaluated, few have focused on the results of ce rvical Methods. Before and after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervi cal radiculopathy, 28 patients filled out the Health Status Questionnaire. The average follow-up interval was 21.8 months, There were 10 men and 18 wo men, with an average age of 44 years. All outcome instruments were graded f or individual scores Of general health, physical function, role limitation because of physical health problems, role limitation because of emotional p roblems, social function, mental health, bodily pain, and energy. Data were analyzed using the age (< 55 vs., 55), worker's compensation status, and e ducation status of the patient. Preoperative and postoperative scores were compared for each subscale. Results. Statistically significant improvements were found in postoperative scores for bodily pain (P < 0.001), vitality (P = 0.003), physical functio n (P = 0.01), role function/physical (P = 0.0003), and social function (P = 0.0004). No significant differences were found before and after surgery fo r three health scales: general health, mental health, acid role function as sociated with emotional limitations. Age, educational status, and history o f compensation litigation did not appear to affect outcome measures. Conclusions. Although this is a preliminary report involving 28 patients, i t would appear, based on the results of the Health Status Questionnaire, th at anterior cervical disectomy and fusion performed on appropriately select ed patients is a highly reliable surgical procedure for the management of c ervical radiculopathy. Additional disease-specific questions may provide mo re sensitivity in evaluating radiculopathy after surgical and nonsurgical;, intervention.