CERVICAL DISK DISEASE AND THE KEYHOLE FORAMINOTOMY - PROVEN EFFICACY AT EXTENDED LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP

Eighty-four consecutive patients with posterolateral cervical disk her niation treated by keyhole foraminotomy between 1980 and 1987 were rev iewed. Radicular pain was the most common presenting complaint. Weakne ss was present in 59 patients. Sixty patients were available for long- term follow up, averaging 6.1 years. Fifty-six patients' results were graded as excellent. Three patients had good results and one fair resu lt was noted. There were no poor results. Preoperative pain symptoms w ere relieved in all patients. There were no significant complications. The posterolateral keyhole foraminotomy is an efficient means of deco mpressing lateral soft disk herniations, without the risk of an anteri or approach or iliac crest bone harvest. Careful patient selection and use of an operative microscope are essential in obtaining consistent, excellent results.