In conventional cervical spondylotic osteophytectomy, annulus fibrosus is removed for good surgical vista. Preservation of anterior annulus fibrosus, however, is important to prevent for-ward angulation of the cervical spine because it is weight-bearing strong fibrous band having 6 to 7mm in thickness.
Transforaminal osteophytectomy and discectomy preserving anterior annulus fibrosus were performed in 108 patients. The surgery necessitated section of the posterior half of longus colli muscle under the surgical microscope via anterolateral transverse exposure. Using various cur-rette, unilateral foraminal and posterior spurs were removed as well as Luschka´s connection. For the contralateral osteophytes, bilateral exposures were convenient. Surprisingly, most of her-niated posterolateral discs were "roof disc" at the intervertebral foramen. Different from Ver biest´s or Pasztor´s approach for vertebral artery insufficiency, tranverse process remained intact.
Postoperative X-rays demonstrated complete removal of osteophytes clearly. Surgical results were exellent in 75%, go d in 14.8%, fair in 6.5% and poor in 3.7%. One patient developed persistant postoperative CSF leakage for 8 weeks.
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