Central Spinal Canal Decompression for Lumbar Spondylosis with Uniportal Full-Endoscopic Interlaminar Approach: Technical Note and Preliminary Results in Thailand
Kriangsak Saetia MD*,**, Verapan Kuonsongtham MD*,**
Affiliation : * Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Spine Institute, Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok, 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.
Keywords : Spinal stenosis, Central canal stenosis, Spinal decompression, Endoscopic spinal decompression, Minimally invasive spinal surgery
