Clinical Outcomes and Complications of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis With a Comparison to Full-Endoscopic Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy.

Objective: The unilateral biportal endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy (UBE-PCF) has been recently adopted for unilateral radiating arm pain due to cervical herniated intervertebral disc or foraminal stenosis. We systematically meta-analyzed clinical outcomes and complications of the UBE-PCF and compared them with those of full-endoscopic PCF (FE-PCF).

Methods: We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science until February 29, 2024.

Prospective comparative analysis of three types of decompressive surgery for lumbar central stenosis: conventional, full-endoscopic, and biportal endoscopic laminectomy.

Conventional open laminectomy has long been considered one of the important surgical options for lumbar central stenosis owing to its positive outcomes. However, newer approaches have emerged as alternatives, including full-endoscopic and biportal endoscopic laminectomy. Therefore, a comparison of the outcomes that are associated with each of these surgical methods is warranted.

Predictive Value of Bolster Supine X-Ray for the Correction of Segmental Deformity After Thoracolumbar Fusion Surgery.

Background And Objectives: Assessment of thoracolumbar spine flexibility is crucial for determining which osteotomy to perform (posterior column osteotomy or 3-column osteotomy) to restore sagittal balance. Although preoperative bolster supine X-rays have been used to evaluate spine flexibility, their correlation with postoperative spinopelvic parameters has not been reported. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of bolster X-ray for correcting sagittal deformities after thoracolumbar fusion surgery.

Quantitative Analysis of the Effect of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Postoperative Residual Cervical Dumbbell Tumors: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been performed for spinal tumors. However, the quantitative effect of SRS on postoperative residual cervical dumbbell tumors remains unknown. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of SRS for treating postoperative residual cervical dumbbell tumors.

Are There Advantages in Cervical Intrafacetal Fusion With Minimal Posterolateral Fusion (PLF) Compared to Conventional PLF in Posterior Cervical Fusion?

Objective: We propose that cervical intrafacetal fusion (cIFF) using bone chip insertion into the facetal joint space additional to minimal PLF is a supplementary fusion method to conventional posterolateral fusion (PLF).

Methods: Patients who underwent posterior cervical fixation accompanied by cIFF with minimal PLF or conventional PLF for cervical myelopathy from 2012 to 2023 were investigated retrospectively. Radiological parameters including Cobb angle and C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were compared between the 2 groups.

Saving Stabilizing Structure Treatment With Bilateral-Contralateral Decompression for Spinal Stenosis in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Using Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the treatment of spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis using bilateral-contralateral unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) decompression to minimize facet joint damage.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 42 patients with grade 1 spondylolisthesis who underwent bilateral-contralateral UBE decompression between July 2018 and September 2019. To identify segmental instability, static and dynamic images from preoperative and postoperative procedures and final follow-up radiographs were reviewed.

Effectiveness of intraoperative table modification for achieving lumbar lordosis in multilevel lumbar fusion surgery: a propensity score-matched study.

Background: In multilevel posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with posterior screw fixation, obtaining sufficient lumbar lordosis (LL) is difficult, especially in patients with osteoporosis. We performed intraoperative table modification (TM) using gravitational dropping of the patient's lumbar spine, to improve restoration of LL.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent three- or four-level PLIF between 2005 and 2019.

Biportal Endoscopic Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy for Adjacent 2-Level Foraminal Lesions Using a Single Approach (Sliding Technique).

Objective: Endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) using uniportal or biportal endoscopic approach has been performed for cervical foraminal stenosis or foraminal disc herniation. Two-level PCF is possible using a single biportal endoscopic approach. The purpose of this study was to present a technique of biportal endoscopic PCF for contiguous 2-level foraminal lesions using a single approach and its clinical results.

Indications, Contraindications, and Complications of Biportal Endoscopic Decompressive Surgery for the Treatment of Lumbar Stenosis: A Systematic Review.

Background: Biportal endoscopic spine surgery is gaining popularity in managing degenerative lumbar diseases and has optimal indications and contraindications. The perioperative complications related to the biportal endoscopic approach affect the postoperative outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to review the indications, contraindications, and complications of biportal endoscopic decompression for lumbar stenosis.

Full-endoscopic versus microscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis at L4-L5: comparative study.

Purpose: Full-endoscopic spine surgery for degenerative lumbar diseases is growing in popularity and has shown favourable outcomes. Lumbar endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (LE-ULBD) has been used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). However, studies comparing LE-ULBD to microscopic ULBD are lacking.

Comparing the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive biportal endoscopic spine surgery versus conventional microscopic discectomy in single-level lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (ENDO-BH Trial): a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled equivalence trial study protocol.

Background: Biportal endoscopic surgery has recently been performed in lumbar discectomy, with advantages over conventional surgery, such as less skin scarring and muscle damage. However, the clinical results have not been established. Although previous studies reported no difference between the biportal endoscopic and microscopic discectomy clinical results, the evidence was weak.

Does Paramedian Approach Preferentially Secure Optimal Drug Delivery Onto Ventral Epidural Space and Subsequent Superior Clinical Efficacy Over a Dorsal Midline Approach During Cervical Interlaminar Epidural Injection?

Background: There is paucity in the literature directly comparing the clinical results between the paramedian and the midline interlaminar cervical epidural injections.

Objective: To compare the proportion of ventral epidural spread of injectate and consequent clinical outcome between the paramedian and midline approach during interlaminar epidural injection in patients with axial neck and/or interscapular pain triggered from the underlying cervical spine pathologic condition.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Association between ischemic stroke and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis in Korea: A nationwide longitudinal cohort study.

The purpose of this longitudinal follow-up study was to investigate the risk of ischemic stroke nationwide in patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and controls who were matched in age and sex. Patient data were collected from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) Health Screening (HEALS) cohort. Using the International Classification of Diseases code M05 (seropositive RA), with a prescription of any disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), RA was identified.

The Fate of Proximal Junctional Vertebral Fractures after Long-Segment Spinal Fixation : Are There Predictable Radiologic Characteristics for Revision surgery?

Objective: To investigate the radiographic characteristics of the uppermost instrumented vertebrae (UIV) and UIV+1 compression fractures that are predictive of revision surgery following long-segment spinal fixation.

Methods: A total 27 patients who presented newly developed compression fracture at UIV, UIV+1 after long segment spinal fixation (minimum 5 vertebral bodies, lowest instrumented vertebra of L5 or distal) were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups according to following management : revisional surgery (group A, n=13) and conservative care (group B, n=14).

Clinical and radiological results of indirect decompression after anterior lumbar interbody fusion in central spinal canal stenosis.

Objective: Whereas the benefits of indirect decompression after lateral lumbar interbody fusion are well known, the effects of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) have not yet been verified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological effects of indirect decompression after ALIF for central spinal canal stenosis. In this report, along with the many advantages of the anterior approach, the authors share cases with good outcomes that they have encountered.

Incorporating New Technologies to Overcome the Limitations of Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Navigation, Robotics, and Visualization.

Recently, spine surgery has gradually evolved from conventional open surgery to minimally invasive surgery, and endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) has become an important procedure in minimally invasive spine surgery. With improvements in the optics, spine endoscope, endoscopic burr, and irrigation pump, the indications of ESS are gradually widening from lumbar to cervical and thoracic spine. ESS was not only used previously for disc herniations that were contained without migration but is also used currently for highly migrated disc herniations and spinal stenosis; thus, the indications of ESS will be further expanded.

Hybrid Interlaminar Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression in Disc Herniation Combined With Spinal Stenosis.

Background: Endoscopic spine surgery is an alternative to the traditional treatment of lumbar disc herniation. However, the traditional technique of interlaminar endoscopic approach is challenging and risky in patients with concomitant spinal stenosis.

Objective: To report a modified technique called hybrid interlaminar endoscopic lumbar decompression as an effective treatment.

Clinical Results and Complications of Endoscopic Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Lumbar Degenerative Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Although endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) may combine the advantages of minimally invasive fusion and endoscopic spine surgery, little evidence exists on endoscopic TLIF. This meta-analysis investigated the clinical results of endoscopic TLIF.

Methods: We performed a systematic search of Web-based electronic databases to identify articles on endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion.