Objective: We compared the midterm clinical and radiological outcomes between 2 types of full endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy, including conventional posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy (PECF) and modified inclined technique for PECF.
Methods: One of the 2 types of PECF surgery was performed for defined cervical foraminal stenosis. The foraminal expansion ratio and facet resection rate and foraminal stenosis grade were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for neck and arm pain, neck disability index, MacNab criteria, operation time, hospital stay, and complications, including postoperative dysesthesia, were assessed. Clinical and radiological parameters were compared between the 2 surgical groups.
Results: There were 49 and 46 patients in the PECF and modified-PECF groups, respectively. The modified-PECF group showed significantly higher expansion of distal foraminal diameter and foraminal height, and a lower facet resection rate compared to PECF group (in all, p < 0.001). The modified-PECF group displayed significantly lower VAS score for neck pain at 1 day and 1 week after surgery and lower arm pain VAS score after 6-month follow-up (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively).
Conclusion: Compared with the PECF, the modified inclined technique has radiologic benefits, including enhanced facet joint preservation, restoration of the natural course of nerve roots, and prevention of restenosis by expanding the superior articular process base, especially in grade 2 foraminal stenosis. Furthermore, the modified inclined technique significantly improved the postoperative VAS score for neck pain within the 1-week follow-up and that of arm pain after 6-month follow-up.
Keywords: Cervical vertebrae; Endoscopy; Foraminotomy; Radiculopathy; Stenosis.