Long term outcome after cervical foraminotomy

We recently demonstrated the effectiveness of dorsal foraminotomy in latera l herniated cervical disc after 1 year follow-up in a prospective study.(1) The goal of this paper is to confirm these results concerning long term ou tcome. We carried out a prospective, consecutive study on 54 patients, oper ated on for lateral herniated cervical disc. We analysed demographic data, the case history, the neurological examination on admission and imaging dat a. Ninety per cent were followed up for 3.5 years postoperatively. Accordin g to their ratings on a pain scale the group were divided into favourable a nd unfavourable outcomes. These groups were analysed in relation to the pat ient's initial condition. At follow up, 90% of patients showed complete rec overy or improvement. A long standing preoperative neurological deficit seems to be an important prognostic factor for unfavourable long term outcome after cervical foramin otomy. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.