Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Perspective/short review: Diagnosis and surgery for mostly dorsal thoracic spinal arachnoid webs with/ without Syrinxes and/or Spinal Arachnoid Cysts.

Surgical neurology international·2026
Same authorSame journal

Retained foreign bodies in spine surgery: Never events, near never events, but not just adverse events.

Surgical neurology international·2026
Same author

Perspective/short review: Mandatory intraoperative neurological monitoring (IONM) for thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Surgical neurology international·2026
Same author

Review/Short Perspective: "Never Events" likely never occur without a breach in the standard of care (SOC) while "Near Never Events" are typically not far behind.

Surgical neurology international·2026
Same author

Perspective/short review: Adverse events associated with placement of spinal cord stimulators (SCS).

Surgical neurology international·2026
Same author

Updated perspective: STAT surgery for significant cauda equina syndromes.

Surgical neurology international·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Laminectomy for the Removal of Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum TOLF Using Ultrasonic and Conventional Osteotomes
07:12

Laminectomy for the Removal of Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum TOLF Using Ultrasonic and Conventional Osteotomes

Published on: April 21, 2023

3.8K

Open laminoforaminotomy: A lost art?

Nancy E Epstein1

  • 1Department of NeuroScience, Winthrop Neuroscience, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY, USA.

Surgical Neurology International
|December 23, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Open cervical laminoforaminotomy (CLF) offers a safe and effective alternative for nerve root decompression compared to anterior cervical discectomy/fusion (ACDF) and minimally invasive CLF (MIS CLF). It avoids anterior structure risks and fusion while demonstrating fewer complications than MIS CLF.

Keywords:
Limit morbiditylost artminimally invasive surgery: Anterior cervical diskectomy/fusionopen laminoforaminotomy

More Related Videos

Transforaminal Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Foraminotomy Under Local Anesthesia for L5/S1 Adjacent Segment Foraminal Stenosis
07:44

Transforaminal Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Foraminotomy Under Local Anesthesia for L5/S1 Adjacent Segment Foraminal Stenosis

Published on: October 17, 2025

1.7K
Laminotomy for Lumbar Dorsal Root Ganglion Access and Injection in Swine
09:00

Laminotomy for Lumbar Dorsal Root Ganglion Access and Injection in Swine

Published on: October 10, 2017

13.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Laminectomy for the Removal of Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum TOLF Using Ultrasonic and Conventional Osteotomes
07:12

Laminectomy for the Removal of Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum TOLF Using Ultrasonic and Conventional Osteotomes

Published on: April 21, 2023

3.8K
Transforaminal Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Foraminotomy Under Local Anesthesia for L5/S1 Adjacent Segment Foraminal Stenosis
07:44

Transforaminal Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Foraminotomy Under Local Anesthesia for L5/S1 Adjacent Segment Foraminal Stenosis

Published on: October 17, 2025

1.7K
Laminotomy for Lumbar Dorsal Root Ganglion Access and Injection in Swine
09:00

Laminotomy for Lumbar Dorsal Root Ganglion Access and Injection in Swine

Published on: October 10, 2017

13.7K

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Spinal Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

  • Open cervical laminoforaminotomy (CLF) effectively treats lateral/foraminal disc herniations and spurs causing nerve root compression.
  • CLF avoids risks to anterior structures and the need for fusion, unlike anterior cervical discectomy/fusion (ACDF).
  • Compared to minimally invasive CLF (MIS CLF), open CLF has a lower incidence of dural tears, infections, and neural injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the benefits, risks, and complications of open CLF versus minimally invasive CLF (MIS CLF) techniques.
  • To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety profiles of different cervical decompression approaches.
  • To highlight the potential underutilization of open CLF in current spinal surgery practices.

Main Methods:

  • A focused review of the existing spinal literature.
  • Comparison of open CLF with various MIS CLF techniques.
  • Analysis of reported benefits, risks, and complications for each surgical approach.

Main Results:

  • Open CLF is a technically demanding posterior cervical technique.
  • MIS CLF approaches offer limited visualization and maneuverability.
  • MIS CLF is associated with a higher incidence of complications, including dural tears, infection, and neural damage.

Conclusions:

  • Open CLF provides adequate and safe decompression for lateral/foraminally compromised cervical nerve roots.
  • The risks associated with MIS CLF and ACDF can be avoided by utilizing open CLF.
  • There may be an overreliance on MIS CLF or ACDF, potentially due to open CLF being perceived as a "lost art".