Clinical outcomes of posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy for single level cervical spondylotic radiculopathy / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes using posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD) for single level cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR).Methods From October 2015 to June 2016,33 patients (23 men,10 women,mean age 54.0 years,range from 30 to 85 years) who had single level CSR were treated by PECD,and the medical records were reviewed.All patients were followed up for an average of 13.5±4.6 months (range from 12 to 22 months).The operation related parameters (operation time,estimated blood loss,length of hospitalization,complications) and clinical parameters,including neck visual analog scale (Neck-VAS),ann visual analog scale (Arm-VAS),neck disability index (NDI) and the modified Macnab criteria were assessed at 3,6,and 12 months postoperatively and last follow-up.Disc height,shell angle,C2-C7 Cobb angle and range of motion were recorded preoperatively and at 3 months,6 months,12 months and last follow-up postoperatively.Results The mean operation time was 76.4±26.6 minutes (range from 40 to 120 minutes),the mean estimated blood loss was 30.2±15.6 ml (range from 20 to 80 ml),and the mean length of hospitalization was 3.5± 1.1 days (range from 2 to 8 days).There was significant decrease at different time points postoperatively in Neck-VAS,Arm-VAS,and NDI when compared with preoperatively (P＜ 0.05).According to the modified Macnab criteria,there was excellent concordance in 20 patients (60.6％),good in 7 patients (21.2％) and fair in 6 patients (18.2％) at the last follow-up.The disc height was significantly decreased at postoperative 3 months and 1 year compared with at preoperative (F=95.1,P＜0.01).The shell angle of index level (F=35.4.,P＜0.01),upper adjacent level (F=30.1,P＜0.01),lower adjacent level (F=1 1.7,P＜0.01) as well as spinal function units (F=22.2,P＜0.01) were increased significantly at postoperative compared with at preoperative.The range of motion of index level (F=8.1,P＜0.01) and upper adjacent level (F=64.0,P＜0.01) increased significantly at postoperative compared with at preoperative.The range of motion in lower adjacent level (F=1.5,P=0.23),spine functional unit of index level (F=2.9,P=0.06),as well as C2-C7 (F=0.6,P=0.56) had no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative 1 year (P＞0.05).One patient turned into traditional ACDF procedure because of hemorrhage limiting the vision during PECD operation.Upper extremity numbness and pain deteriorated in one case after a PECD procedure and was revised with ACDF at last.No other complications,like spinal cord injury,cervical root injury,cerebral spinal fluid leakage,infection as well as recurrence were found.Conclusion PECD,which can maintain normal cervical range of motion and intervertebral disc height,is a minimally invasive and essential procedure for CSR treatment with minor trauma,excellent outcome and quick recovery.Surgeon's experience,however,is needed in case of turning into open surgery for good outcome.