Full-endoscopic posterior foraminotomy surgery for cervical disc herniations

Objective: Surgery for cervical disc herniation with full-endoscopic posterior access.

Indications: Cervical disc herniation and neuroforaminal pathology with radicular symptoms.

Contraindications: Neck pain alone, cervical myelopathy or pathologies with central nervous system symptoms, instabilities requiring correction/instabilities.

Surgical technique: Introduction of a surgical tube to the facet joint at the level to be operated on. Resection of bony and ligamentous parts of the cervical spinal canal under endoscopic guidance. Visualisation of the disc herniation and decompression of the neural structures.

Postoperative management: Immediate mobilisation, specific rehabilitative physiotherapy depending on pre-existing neurological deficits.

Results: A total of 87 patients underwent full-endoscopic posterior surgery and were followed over a period of 2 years. Significant improvement was observed. No serious complications occurred. In all, 5 patients underwent revision in the follow-up period. Of the patients, 93% would undergo the procedure again.

Full citation: Komp, M., Oezdemir, S., Hahn, P., Ruetten, S. Full-endoscopic posterior foraminotomy surgery for cervical disc herniations. Oper Orthop Traumatol 30, 13–24 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00064-017-0529-1