[Less invasive surgery for cervical spine]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Spinal Surgery

Context:

• Minimally invasive surgical techniques are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
• Cervical spine surgery presents unique challenges for invasiveness reduction.
• Postoperative pain and activity restrictions are key concerns for patients undergoing cervical spine procedures.

Purpose:

• To introduce and discuss less invasive surgical methods for the cervical spine.
• To highlight the importance of patient-centered approaches in selecting surgical techniques.
• To compare anterior and posterior cervical approaches for minimally invasive procedures.

Summary:

• This paper details less invasive cervical spine surgical techniques, including transvertebral key-hole foraminotomy (anterior approach) and spinous process-splitting expansive laminoplasty (posterior approach).
• The focus is on minimizing postoperative pain and restrictions in activities of daily living (ADLs), which are paramount in cervical spine surgery.
• The selection of the optimal surgical method should be individualized based on patient-specific needs and conditions.

Impact:

• Promotes reduced patient morbidity and faster return to daily activities after cervical spine surgery.
• Encourages the adoption of patient-tailored surgical strategies for improved functional recovery.
• Advances the field of minimally invasive spinal surgery by presenting innovative techniques.