Between the years 1976 und 1989 147 patients were operated on cervical disc herniation at the Neurosurgical Clinic of Innsbruck. 122 of these cases underwent a posterior approach according to Frykholm, 25 patients were treated by an anterior approach according to Cloward and Smith and Robinson, respectively. All patients received a descending myelography followed by a CAT-Scan of the questionable cervical segments the latter was available. In patients with disc herniation and only mild degenerative changes of the cervical spine a dorsal foraminotomy was chosen whereas the cases with nerve root compressions primarily due to spondylosis the ventral approach was preferred. Patients revealed a convincing benefit of motoric deficits after foraminotomy whereas disturbances of sensibility showed minor improvement either by ventral or posterior approach.