Medial cervical facetectomy for radiculopathy due to foraminal stenosis: 71 personal consecutive cases.

Medial cervical facetectomy performed on patients using a high speed drill and microscope represents an effective way for treatment of patients with radiculopathy due to multi-level, either uni- or bilateral, foraminal stenosis. The author presents the results of medial cervical facetectomy performed in 71 cases during a 4 year period. Medial cervical facetectomy appears to provide significant benefits to patients with radiculopathy secondary to foraminal stenosis. The procedure also appears to be superior to complete foraminotomy for relief of radiculopathy as the lateral third to half of the facet joint is still preserved and there is no instability problem. Copyright 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.