Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2010; 53(3): 127-131
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1249681
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Transcorporeal Tunnel Approach for Unilateral Cervical Radiculopathy: A 2-Year Follow-Up Review and Results

G. Choi1 , N. J. Arbatti2 , H. N. Modi3 , N. Prada3 , J. S. Kim1 , H. J. Kim4 , S. H. Myung1 , S. H. Lee1
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
  • 2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, MIOT Hospital, Chennai, India
  • 3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
  • 4Department of Neurosurgery, Seoulwoori Hospital, Cheongju, South Korea
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 August 2010 (online)

Abstract

Background: The long-term complications of traditional discectomy and fusion surgery have led to the need for minimally invasive procedures that do not require a complete discectomy and fusion. Jho developed an anterior unco-foraminotomy that we have modified, with the approach being more medial than that of Jho, into an anterior transcorporeal tunnel approach which we use for cervical spondylotic unilateral radiculopathy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out in 30 patients who underwent a transcorporeal “tunnel” anterior micro-foraminotomy for unilateral radicular symptoms with a follow-up more than 2 years. All were operated by a single surgeon using the same technique from the vertebral body proximal to the lesion and proceeding downwards to the herniation. At final follow-up we reviewed the clinical and radiological results.

Results: All patients in the immediate post-operative period showed relief of their symptoms, and there were major complications. 3 patients complained about the numbness in the immediate postoperative period which resolved within 3 months. There was a significant improvement in NDI from pre-operative 55.16% to postoperative 5.82% (P <0.001). Average pre-operative VAS scores for arm and neck were 8.15 and 4.05, respectively; which improved to 1.05 and 1.23 (P <0.001) postoperatively. There was an average 9% decrease (from 7.8 mm to 7.3 mm) in the post-operative disc height compared to the preoperative disc height; however, it was clinically and radiologically insignificant. The long-term results were favourable and there were no major complications.

Conclusion: The transcorporeal tunnel approach can be used as an alternative treatment for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

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Correspondence

G. ChoiMD, PhD 

Department of Neurosurgery

Wooridul Spine Hospital

47-4 Chungdam-dong

Gangnam-gu

135-100 Seoul

Korea

Phone: +82/2/513 8150

Fax: +82/2/513 8146

Email: spine.choi@gmail.com