Objective: To present our clinical outcomes with anterior approach microdiscectomy and artificial disc replacement in patients with C5-6 disc hernias.

Material and Methods: This cohort study is based on data collected during follow-up of a total of 53 patients (23 women, 30 men; mean age: 40.6±4.4 years) operated in the neurosurgery departments of 3 institutions between February 2010 and February 2013. Pain and neck disability were evaluated preoperatively and at postoperative 6th, 12th and 24th months by means of visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI), respectively. Alterations in VAS and NDI scores were compared during the follow-up period.

Results: Scores in VAS and NDI were improved significantly at postoperative 6th, 12th and 24th months (p<0.001 for all). Furthermore, VAS and NDI scores at 12th and 24th months were better than those at 6th month (p=0.021 and p=0.006 for VAS; p<0.001 for NDI). However, no differences were observed between VAS (p=0.192) and NDI scores (p=0.258) at postoperative 12th and 24th months.

Conclusion: We suggest that microdiscectomy and implantation of the artificial cervical disc prosthesis is a safe and effective procedure for reduction of pain and improvement of neck disability in patients with disc herniation at the level of C5-C6. Long- term follow-up in larger series and controlled trials are required for documentation of the safety and efficacy of the procedure more accurately.

Keywords: Cervical, disc herniation, treatment, microdiscectomy, artificial disc, replacement