Treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy: Short-term outcomes of 24 cases

To determine the short-term clinical outcomes of single-segment cervical spondylotic radiculopathy treated with posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PPECD). Data of a total of 24 patients who underwent PPECD and local anesthesia for single-level segmental cervical spondylotic radiculopathy between March 2016 and December 2017 were reviewed. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association, visual analog scale (VAS), and neck disability index scores at preoperative 1 day, postoperative 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year were recorded. The modified MacNab criteria at the last follow-up were re-recorded for the evaluation of clinical effectiveness. All operations were successfully completed under endoscopic guidance. No patient showed spinal cord, nerve root, vascular injuries, dural tears or other complications. The postoperative VAS scores of the arm and neck were significantly reduced compared with the preoperative VAS scores (P < .05), while postoperative the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were significantly increased (P < .05). The postoperative neck disability index scores were significantly reduced compared with preoperative scores (P < .05). The modified MacNab criteria at the last follow-up showed 16 excellent cases, 8 good cases, 0 fine cases, and 0 poor cases. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and cervical 3-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction showed that the intervertebral disc was adequately resected and the nerve root was not under compression. PPECD is safe and effective for the treatment of single-segment cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.