Posterior surgical approach to the cervical neural foramen for intervertebral disc disease.

A POSTERIOR FORAMINOTOMY (hemilaminotomy and medial facetectomy) is indicated for the treatment of nerve root compression secondary to posterolateral disc herniation or spondylotic foraminal stenosis. We describe the normal and pathological anatomy of the cervical neural foramen as well as our surgical technique, which has been highly effective in cases of cervical discogenic radiculopathy.