Posterior Percutaneous Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy and Diskectomy With Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy

This report describes a new, minimally invasive procedure, posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical diskectomy, performed with a unilateral biportal endoscopic approach. The procedure is used to treat cervical foraminal soft disk protrusion. This report also describes the short-term results with this procedure. In 2015, 14 patients underwent this new, minimally invasive procedure. The technique was applied with a standard arthroscopy device and conventional spine instruments. The Neck Disability Index and visual analog scale scores for the neck and upper arm were evaluated, and 13 consecutive patients were included in the analysis. Mean follow-up was 14.8 months (range, 12-18 months). The Neck Disability Index decreased from 27.0±2.5 to 6.8±1.4 at the last follow-up (P<.05). Visual analog scale scores for the neck and upper arm also decreased significantly (neck, 6.2±0.8 to 2.4±0.9; upper arm, 7.0±1.1 to 2.2±0.6). Posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical diskectomy with a uniportal endoscope provides a clear operative field because of continuous endoscopic saline irrigation and requires only a short hospitalization and no postoperative rehabilitation. Posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical diskectomy with a unilateral biportal endoscopic approach also can be performed efficiently because of the wide field of visualization and familiar surgical field. Thus, posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical diskectomy with the unilateral biportal endoscopic approach may be an alternative procedure for cervical foraminal soft disk protrusion. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(5):e779-e783.].