Biportal endoscopic unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Background: The advantages of biportal endoscopic approaches over conventional open surgery include the preservation of the normal structures, less intraoperative bleeding, fast postoperative recovery, and preservation of the motion segments.

Method: We attempted the posterior biportal endoscopic approach for cervical stenosis at the C5-C6-C7 levels. Biportal endoscopic right ipsilateral hemilaminectomy with bilateral decompression at the C5-C6-C7 levels and right foraminotomy at the C6-C7 level were performed under general anesthesia.

Can unilateral-approach minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion attain indirect contralateral decompression? A preliminary report of 66 MRI analysis.

Purpose: Few studies have measured the amount of indirect decompression at the contralateral neural foramen after unilateral-approach minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MITLIF). This study examined the amount of intraoperative indirect decompression at the contralateral neural foramen after a unilateral-approach MITLIF in patients with bilateral foraminal stenosis.

Methods: From February 2009 to October 2012, 66 consecutive patients with bilateral foraminal stenosis underwent unilateral-approach MITLIF and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Subsidence of polyetheretherketone cage after minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Study Design: A retrospective case series.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the rate of cage subsidence after minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MITLIF) conducted using a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage, and to identify associated risk factors.

Summary Of Background Data: Although various rates of cage subsidence after lumbar interbody fusion have been reported, few studies have addressed subsidence rate after MITLIF using PEEK cage.

Factors affecting the accurate placement of percutaneous pedicle screws during minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

We retrospectively evaluated 488 percutaneous pedicle screws in 110 consecutive patients that had undergone minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MITLIF) to determine the incidence of pedicle screw misplacement and its relevant risk factors. Screw placements were classified based on postoperative computed tomographic findings as "correct", "cortical encroachment" or as "frank penetration". Age, gender, body mass index, bone mineral density, diagnosis, operation time, estimated blood loss (EBL), level of fusion, surgeon's position, spinal alignment, quality/quantity of multifidus muscle, and depth to screw entry point were considered to be demographic and anatomical variables capable of affecting pedicle screw placement.

The clinical and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody single level fusion.

Study Design: This is a retrospective study that was done according to clinical and radiological evaluation.

Purpose: We analyzed the clinical and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody single level fusion.

Overview Of Literature: Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is effective surgical method for treating degenerative lumbar disease.