Table 7.

Comparison of the posterior foraminotomy versus anterior cervical discectomy for a single level radiculopathy

Study	Design	Country	Number of cases	Surgical levels	Follow up	Mean age (years)	Outcome criteria	Clinical outcome (ACDF vs PCF)
Ruetten et al.[78]	RCT	Germany	ACDF: 86 PCF: 89	Single-level	2 years each	43	VAS, German version NASS, Hilibrand criteria	P>0.05
Herkowitz et al.[79]	RCT	USA	ACDF: 17 PCF: 16	Single-level	4.2 years	ACDF: 43, PCF: 39	Relief of pain and weakness	94% versus 75% (P>0.05)
Wirth et al.[80]	RCT	USA	ACDF: 25 PCF: 22	Single-level	60 months each	ACDF: 41.7, PCF: 43.8	Incidence of pain relief	96% versus 100% (P>0.05)
Selvanathan et al.[81]	RCoS	UK	ACDF: 150 PCF: 51	N/A	ACDF: 24±1.4 months PCF: 25±1.2 months	ACDF: 48, PCF: 50	NDI VAS neck and arm	P>0.05
Korinth et al.[82]	RCoS	Germany	ACDF: 124 PCF: 168	Single-level	72.1±25.9 months	ACDF: 45.9±8.2, PCF: 46.9±10.4	Success rate (Odom I+II)	93.6% versus 85.1% (P<0.05)
Alvin et al.[83]	RCoS	USA	ACDF: 45 PCF: 25	Single-level	3 years	ACDF: 49.3±9.6, PCF: 46.5±11.32	VAS, PDQ, PHQ-9, EQ-5D	P>0.05

NASS – North American spine society; EQ-5D – EuroQol-5 dimensions; NDI – Neck disability index; PCF – Posterior cervical foraminotomy; PDQ – Pain disability questionnaire; PHQ – Patient health questionnaire; RCoS – Retrospective comparative study; RCT – Randomized controlled trail; VAS – Visual analog scale; EQ-5D – Euro QOF5 dimensional; ACDF – Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion; N/A – Not applicable