Authors: Hessler C, Boysen K, Regelsberger J, Vettorazzi E, Winkler D, Westphal M
Source: Clin J Pain. 2011 Dec 6
Hessler et al from Germany report that improvement in pain was the most important aspect in ACDF patients regarding the subjective satisfactory questionnaire.
The authors conducted a prospective follow-up study of patients with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for single-level cervical disc disease. The aim was to determine the extent of impact of pain, sensory function, motor function, and range of motion (ROM)of the neck on patient satisfaction after ACDF.
A total of 67 ACDF patients were monitored by clinical examination (pain, motor function, sensory function, and ROM in the neck) preoperatively and at follow-up (mean, 217 d after surgery; range, 198 to 232 d) and by a satisfactory questionnaire (SQ) at follow-up only. According to the SQs, 4 patient groups were characterized. Inside each patient group for eachexamination parameter, the percentage of patients who showed improved, unchanged, or worsened clinical results was analyzed.
The authors found that: "Patient satisfaction was found to depend primarily on the improvement in pain (P=0.001). The development of motor function (P=0.056), sensory function (P=0.225), and ROM of the neck (P=0.565) did not demonstrate significant correlation with patient satisfaction. The Numerical Rating Scale score decreased from 6.2 before surgery to 2.1 on follow-up, whereas the level ofanalgesic use (World Health Organization scheme) decreased from 1.9 to 0.3".
Conclusion of the authors: "Improvement in pain seemed to be most important aspect in ACDF patients regarding the subjective satisfactory questionnaire. Therefore, we strongly recommend focusing on pain-reducing therapies when choosing treatment for these patients during thepostoperative period.".
Link for the abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22193847
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