Long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior uncoforaminotomy for unilateral single-level cervical radiculopathy: retrospective cohort study

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a common procedure for degenerative cervical radiculopathy. In 1996, Dr. H.D. Jho reported an operative technique allowing nerve root decompression via anterior uncoforaminotomy whereas avoiding fusion. To assess long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior uncoforaminotomy in patients with degenerative cervical spine pathology. A single clinic, retrospective cohort study. Adult patients who underwent anterior uncoforaminotomy from 2013 to 2018. Clinical outcomes were assessed using VAS, NDI, SF-36 criteria. Radiological parameters included sagittal balance, disc height and White anPanjabi criterion. All patients underwent unilateral single-level anterior uncoforaminotomy, and long-term clinical and radiologic follow up was carried out. Clinical outcomes were assessed using VAS, NDI, SF-36 criteria. Radiological parameters evaluated included sagittal balance, disc height and White and Panjabi criteria (3.5 mm of translation, 11 degrees of kyphosis). The mean follow-up period was 33.3 ± 10.6 months (range 12–57 months). All measures of clinical outcome improved. VAS (neck) and VAS (arm) decreased 3 [2; 4] and 5 [3; 5.2] points (median [interquartile range]), respectively (p