Comparing the clinical and cost effectiveness of two types of neck surgery, posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) and anterior cervical discectomy (ACD), for the treatment of cervical brachialgia

ISRCTN ISRCTN10133661
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10133661
Secondary identifying numbers CPMS 39563
Submission date
20/11/2018
Registration date
23/11/2018
Last edited
19/08/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nervous System Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Cervical brachialgia is a type of pain that tracks from the neck down the arms, and is caused by nerve compression in the neck. There are two types of operation used to treat cervical brachialgia - posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF), where the operation is done through the back of the neck, and anterior cervical discectomy (ACD), which involves operating through the front of the neck.
This trial aims to determine the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of PCF and ACD for the treatment of cervical brachialgia.

Who can participate?
Adults with a diagnosis of unilateral cervical brachialgia as confirmed by MRI or CT myelogram, who have had symptoms for at least 6 weeks

What does the study involve?
Potential participants will be identified in neurological centres in the UK following referral from their GP. They will be given a patient information sheet and informed consent will be taken if they would like to take part. Participants will then have standard assessments performed, as well as an ASIA assessment. Participants will complete questionnaires, and randomised to receive either PCF or ACD surgery on the day of their operation.
The day after, and 6 weeks after the operation, standard assessments and an ASIA assessment will be performed on participants. On day 1, and weeks 6, 12, 26, 39 and 52 after the operation, participants will complete questionnaires.
25% of participants will also have a voice recording taken to assess if their voice is affected by the operation, before surgery and 6 weeks after surgery.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Treatment in the trial is the same as standard of care, and so the risks and benefits are the same as if the patient did not take part. The possible benefit is that the surgery may alleviate the participants' symptoms. The possible risk is complications of surgery.

Where is the study run from?
The study is run from the Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) at the University of Leeds (UK). It will take place at Leeds General Infirmary and other neurosurgical centres across the UK

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2018 to June 2022

Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Rachel Kelly, forvad@leeds.ac.uk

Contact information

Ms Rachel Kelly
Scientific

Clinical Trials Research Unit
Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research
University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)113 343 6912
Email forvad@leeds.ac.uk

Study information

Study designInterventional randomized controlled parallel trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised parallel trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleFORVAD: clinical and cost-effectiveness of posterior cervical FORaminotomy Versus Anterior cervical Discectomy in the treatment of cervical brachialgia: a multicentre, phase III, randomised controlled trial
Study objectivesThe aim of the study is to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) compared to anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) in the treatment of patients with cervical brachialgia.
Ethics approval(s)North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee, 19/11/2018, 18/NW/0682
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedCervical brachialgia
InterventionParticipants will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. Each group will receive a different operation - one group will receive posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF), which involves operating through the back of the neck, and the other group will receive anterior cervical discectomy (ACD), which involves operating through the front of the neck. Both operations are standard treatments for cervical brachialgia. Participants will be randomised to either the PCF or ACD group on the day of their surgery.
At day 1 post surgery, participants will have routine assessments performed, as well as an ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) assessment. Participants will also complete a questionnaire pack. Participants will then attend the clinic 6 weeks post surgery for routine clinical assessment as they would as part of standard care, and have another ASIA assessment performed. Participants will then complete a questionnaire pack, and do a voice recording if applicable. On weeks 12, 26, 39 and 52 a questionnaire pack will be sent to participants by post for completion and return by post, participants will be sent email or text reminders if they consented to this on the consent form.
25% of participants will be selected at registration to provide a voice recording. This will be completed before the operation and 6 weeks after the operation.
Intervention typeProcedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measureNeck pain, assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) at the baseline and 52 weeks post-surgery
Secondary outcome measuresTo compare PCF and ACD in terms of:
1. Neck and upper limb pain including the shoulder, arm and hand assessed using Numerical Rating Scales, and neuropathic pain (including dysesthetic pain) assessed using the PainDETECT tool over 52 weeks post-surgery
2. Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and globus (sensation of a lump in the throat) over 52 weeks post-surgery as assessed by the participant-completed Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and the Glasgow and Edinburgh Throat Score (GETS) questionnaires
3. Hoarse voice over 52 weeks post-surgery, assessed by the participant completed Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and at 6 weeks for a sub-set of participants that have a central Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia and Strain (GRBAS scale) assessment of their recorded voice
4. Extent and severity of a patient’s spinal cord function, including upper limb nerve root function, using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score at 1 day and 6 weeks post-surgery
5. Incidence of revision surgery, collected on a case report form (CRF) over 52 weeks post-surgery
6. Incidence of surgical complications, collected on a CRF up to 6 weeks post-surgery
7. Cost-effectiveness, assessed by a health economist over 52 weeks post-surgery
Overall study start date01/01/2018
Completion date19/03/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsPlanned Sample Size: 252; UK Sample Size: 252
Total final enrolment23
Key inclusion criteria1. Aged 18 years or older
2. Diagnosis of unilateral cervical brachialgia as confirmed by MRI or CT myelogram taken within the last 12 months
3. Symptoms of cervical brachialgia present for at least 6 weeks
4. Single level nerve entrapment
5. Postero-lateral disc and/or foraminal narrowing
6. Failed conservative management (including but not limited to medication, physiotherapy, modification of daily activities)
7. Able and willing to comply with the terms of the protocol, including quality of life questionnaires
8. Able to provide written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria1. Cervical disc causing cord compression
2. Cervical myelopathy
3. Bilateral cervical brachialgia
4. Previous cervical spine surgery
5. Professionals where a hoarse voice would be exceptionally significant (e.g. singers or speakers)
6. Skin disease at surgical sites (e.g. eczema)
7. Pregnancy
8. Cervical deformity
9. Not suitable for anterior cervical discectomy (ACD)
10. Not suitable for posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF)
Date of first enrolment10/01/2019
Date of final enrolment10/06/2020

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Leeds General Infirmary
Great George Street
Leeds
LS1 3EX
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Hospital/treatment centre

St. James's University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
England
United Kingdom

Phone 0113 206 0483
Email anne.gowing@nhs.net
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00v4dac24

Funders

Funder type

Government

NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Co-ordinating Centre (NETSCC); Grant Codes: 16/31/53

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date14/06/2022
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Plain English results version 1.0 15/11/2022 23/11/2022 No Yes
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No
Results article 01/10/2023 06/11/2023 Yes No
Other publications qualitative study of experiences of healthcare professionals 17/08/2024 19/08/2024 Yes No

Additional files

ISRCTN10133661_PlainEnglishResults_V1.0_15Nov22.pdf

Editorial Notes

19/08/2024: Publication reference added.
06/11/2023: Publication reference added.
23/11/2022: Plain English results were uploaded to the trial outputs table.
01/04/2021: The recruitment start date was changed from 01/10/2018 to 10/01/2019.
25/01/2021: The following changes have been made:
1. The recruitment end date has been changed from 31/12/2020 to 10/06/2020.
2. The overall trial end date has been changed from 30/06/2022 to 19/03/2021.
3. The intention to publish date has been changed from 30/06/2023 to 14/06/2022.
4. The final enrolment number has been added.
5. The scientific contact has been changed and the plain English summary updated accordingly..
25/03/2019: The condition has been changed from "Specialty: Surgery, Primary sub-specialty: Neurosurgery; Health Category: Musculoskeletal, Neurological; Disease/Condition: Nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders" to "Cervical brachialgia" following a request from the NIHR.