Short-term efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy technology in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy technology (UBE) with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF)for the treatment of single-segment cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 60 patients with CSR, of which 30 were treated with ACDF (group A) and 30 were treated with UBE (group B). Cision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization duration, postoperative complications preoperative and postoperative VAS, NDI scores, height and stability of the liability gap were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the A group, the incision length, duration and intraoperative blood loss were significantly less in the B group (P < 0.05), and the difference was statistically significant. As the postoperative time increased, the VAS score and NDI score decreased significantly in both groups (P < 0.05or < 0.01). However, the differences in VAS and NDI scores between the two groups at the corresponding time points were not statistically significant, and only the VAS score at 1 day postoperatively showed a more pronounced decrease in the B group, which was statistically significant compared with that in the A group. The difference in intervertebral space height and stability of the postoperative liability gap between the two groups at the final follow-up was not statistically significant when compared with the preoperative period. The incidence of postoperative complications in the two groups was smaller in the B group than in the A group, and the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: UBE can effectively treat patients with single-segment CRS and promote rapid recovery.