[Results of the surgical treatment of cervical disk hernia and myelopathy with dorsal approach].

Between 1978 and 1981 68 patients underwent posterior surgery on the cervical spine at the Neurosurgical Clinic of Basle. In 24 patients the radicular compression syndrome was caused by a soft disc herniation and in 25 patients by degenerative changes of the cervical spine (hard discs). In 19 patients a cervical myelopathy was caused by a narrowing of the spinal canal. After 1-4 years follow-up the results were excellent or good in more than 90% in soft discs, 80% in hard discs and less than 40% in spinal canal stenosis. The advantages and inconveniences of the different approaches and operative methods are discussed.