Preliminary Result of the posteriuor Cervical Microscopic Laminoforaminotomy with Tubular Retractor System(METRx System)

초록

Posterior cervical microscopic laminoforaminotomy has been apreferred procedure for a posterolateral cervical disc or foraminal stenosis. However, neckpain from wide skin incision and muscle injury are some of disadvantages. The authors performed cervical microscopic laminoforaminotomy with METRxTM tubular dilator system and were compared the results with classical cervical microscopic foraminotomy. Six patients underwent posterior cervical microscopic laminoforaminotomy using the METRxTM during 6 months. We have selected 10 patients from our institution as a comparison group. Preoperative and postoperative pain score composed of the radicular and neck component was examined and disability score also recorded. Diameters and lengths of laminoforaminotomy on the postoperative CT also were compared with two methods Postoperative pain scores to the radiculopathies were not different but postoperative pain scores to the neckpain on the follow up periods weresignificantly different. The average vertical and transverse diameters of the laminoforaminotomy defect on the postoperative CT scans were not different between two groups. Average hospital stay of the classical methods was 8.8�7.5 days comparison with 4.5 �0.54days of new procedure. Posterior cervical microscopic laminoforaminotomy with METRxTM systems seems to provide similar decompression and clinical results as classical methods compared to classical methods and shows superior results for postoperative neckpain and hospital stays.