World neurosurgery | 2019
Posterior percutaneous full-endoscopic cervical laminectomy and decompression for cervical stenosis with myelopathy: a technical note.
Abstract
PURPOSE\nCervical stenosis with myelopathy caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum is relatively rare, and surgical treatment is the preferred option. Previous surgical procedures usually require assisted internal fixation, while some problems may occur, such as large trauma, intraoperative bleeding, wound infection and internal fixation failure. The aim of this paper is to introduce a new minimally invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of upper cervical spinal stenosis complicated with myelopathy.\n\n\nMETHODS AND RESULTS\nA 56-year-old male patient with cervical myelopathy (C2-3) caused by calcification of the ligamentum flavum underwent posterior percutaneous full-endoscopic cervical laminectomy and decompression (PECLD) and achieved a good clinical efficacy. A surgical incision just 1 cm in size was made, and there was little bleeding during the operation. The patient was hospitalized for 2 days and returned to work after 4 weeks. The patient s postoperative recovery of neurological function was significantly improved, the pain was obviously reduced, and the quality of life was remarkably improved. No intra- or postoperative surgical complications were encountered.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nPECLD is an effective method for treating cervical stenosis associated with myelopathy due to ossification of the ligamentum flavum. It has the advantages of smaller trauma, less bleeding, shorter postoperative hospital stays and faster recovery. Taken together, this minimally technique can be considered as a good alternative to traditional open surgery.