Objective: Intercorporal fusion followed by anterior cervical dissectomy for degenerative disc disease (EDD) is a traditional and conventional teaching. The design of this prospective study was to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes in patients operated on with cervical herniated disc with single anterior cervical micro-dissectomy (SMCA).
Patients and methods: From January 2004 to March 2007, patients with radiological evidence of one or two levels of cervical disc disease were included in the study and were followed for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 46 months. All patients underwent only previous cervical microdisectomy, by a single surgeon, using a Leica microscope. Patients were assessed for improvement of symptoms and clinical signs, work status using Nurick's graduation and Odom criteria.
Results: Of the 33 patients operated during the study period; 28 were males and their age varied from 28 to 65 years with an average of 45.72 years. The C5-6 herniated disc was the most commonly affected level. Five patients had two levels of disc herniation and were operated on two levels in the same surgery. The most common presentation was radiculomyelopathy followed by pain and myelopathy. Root pain was the earliest symptom that disappeared after surgery followed by myeloptic symptoms.
Conclusion: This technique is a suitable surgical treatment for the majority of cases of prolapsed cervical disc; Does not require fusion and avoids specific problems and complications associated with instrumentation and fusion. We, even continue the follow-up study of these patients, but to date no considerable late problem has become evident. We think that the best answer to this question can only be obtained with a prospective multicentric, double-blind, randomized study.