Anterior cervical fractional interspace decompression for treatment of cervical radiculopathy. A review of the first 66 cases.

Anterior cervical fractional interspace decompression (ACFID) is an anterior cervical partial discectomy that provides adequate neuroforaminal decompression but avoids segmental collapse and spontaneous fusion. Of 63 patients, 55 were followed from six to 49 months postoperatively (mean, 23 months). Good or excellent results were obtained in 64% of the patients and in 70% of the non-Workers' Compensation patients. Eighty-five percent of the patients and 91% of the non-Workers' Compensation patients were satisfied with the results of surgery. Eighty-seven percent of the patients returned to their original work status. An average of only 1 mm of disc space height was lost. Only two (4%) disc spaces spontaneously fused. ACFID is indicated for radiculopathy due to both soft and hard discs and can be particularly valuable in treating patients with disc herniation adjacent to a previous fusion or radiculopathy with multiple-level myelographic filling defects.