Preliminary Results of the Posterior Cervical Microscopic Laminoforaminotomy with Tubular Retractor System (METRxTM system)

초록

Objectives:Posterior cervical microcopic laminoforaminotomy was the preferred procedure for a posterolateral cervical disc or foraminal stenosis, however, neckpain from wide skin incision and muscle injury was the problems. The authors performed cervical microscopic laminoforaminotomy with METRxTM tubular dilator system and its results were compared to classical cervical microscopic foraminotomy. Methods:Six patients underwent posterior cervical microscopic laminoforaminotomy using the METRxTMduring 6 months. We used a group of 10 classical patients for our institution as a comparison group. Preoperative and postoperative pain score composed ofthe radicular and neck component was examined and disability score also recorded. Diameters and lengths of laminoforaminotomy on the postoperative CT were compared with two methods Results:Postoperative pain scores to the radiculopathies were not different but postopertive pain scores to the neckpain on the follow up periods was significantly different. The average vertical and transverse diameters of the laminoforaminotomy defect on the postoperative CT scans were not different from classical and new procedures. Average hospital stays of the classical methods was 8.8?7.5 days comparison with 4.5 ?0.54days of new procedure. Conclusions:Posterior cervical microscopic laminoforaminotomy with METRxTM systems is able to accomplish the same degree of decompression and obtain the same clinical results as classical methods and had superior to less postoperative neckpain and hospital stays.