Cervical posterolateral laminoforaminotomy

Laminoforaminotomy is an effective treatment for cervical radiculopathy. We present our technique in conjunction with analysis of our long-term clinical results. The posterior approach in the surgical management of cervical radiculopathy is not only acceptable, but in certain cases is preferable to the anterior approach. When pathology is central, broad-based, and anterior, posterior procedures are unlikely to achieve decompression. However, with lateral or foraminal nerve root compression, the simpler posterior keyhole laminoforaminotomy is both safe and effective. Physicians advocating either the anterior or the posterior procedure exclusively are not providing, in our opinion, optimal care.