Endoscopic Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy Under Lateral Decubitus Position with Local Anesthesia

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Background:

• Endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy is increasingly utilized for treating radiculopathy stemming from foraminal stenosis.
• Cervical radiculopathy due to foraminal stenosis is a common condition requiring effective treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel technique for endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of this procedure under local anesthesia in patients unsuitable for general anesthesia.

Main Methods:

• A lateral decubitus position was employed for the endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy.
• The procedure was conducted exclusively under monitored anesthesia care and local anesthesia.
• Ten patients with contraindications for general anesthesia underwent this minimally invasive surgical approach.

Main Results:

• All 10 patients experienced significant improvement in cervical radicular pain post-procedure.
• No perioperative complications were reported in any of the patients.
• The technique demonstrated a favorable safety profile in this patient cohort.

Conclusions:

• This endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy technique, performed in the lateral decubitus position under local anesthesia, is a viable and safe alternative.
• It expands surgical options for managing radiculopathy, particularly for patients with high risks associated with general anesthesia.