Central Spinal Canal Decompression for Lumbar Spondylosis with Uniportal Full-Endoscopic Interlaminar Approach: Technical Note and Preliminary Results in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE

To describe surgical techniques for central spinal canal decompression with uniportal full-endoscopic interlaminar approach and report preliminary results of the first three cases.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Surgical technique for uniportal full-endoscopic interlaminar approach for central spinal canal decompression was described step by step. Three consecutive cases that were operated by this new technique were illustrated by retrospective chart review.

Results

All three illustrative cases achieved excellent clinical outcomes in terms of leg pain and claudication without postoperative complications. A follow-up period was two to eight months. Intra-operative blood loss varied from 20 to 50 milliliter. All cases were discharged from the hospital within two days after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Uniportal full-endoscopic interlaminar approach is a viable alternative procedure for central spinal canal decompression with the advantages of smaller skin incision and less tissue trauma. However, studies with larger number of cases and longer follow-up periods are needed in order to make a clear conclusion of the superiority of this new technique comparing to conventional microsurgical laminectomy.