Uniportal Full Endoscopic 270° Decompression for Thoracic 1-2 Hard Disc Herniation With Ossification of the...

This article aims to demonstrate the uniportal full endoscopic surgery for treating complex anterior and posterior spinal pathology at the T1-2 level, offering a invasive, accessible, stable, and versatile approach to challenging anatomical situations. Uniportal full endoscopic surgery is one of the most minimally invasive spinal surgeries, utilizing slim, elongated, and compact instruments that provide access to lesions from any angle and distance. This characteristic makes the technique especially suitable for hard, such as the T1-2 level, where traditional approaches may be limited or difficult. We present the case of a 39-year-old male patient (height, 187 cm; weight, 130 kg) who developed myelopathy due to a hard disc herniation and ossification of the ligamentum flavum at the T1-2 leading to paraparesis, which was more severe on the left side. An anterior approach was challenging due to the anatomical constraints at the T1-2 level, as well as the patient's body size. A posterior access via the interlaminar approach facilitated the removal of the ossified ligamentum flavum. However, to the anterior lesion remained problematic without spinal cord retraction. Using the uniportal full endoscope, we were able to approach both anterior and posterior lesions through an incision 8 cm lateral to the midline, allowing for the treatment of the entire 270° arc of the pathology. The slim and elongated nature of the full endoscope enabled effective decompression without exerting pressure on the spinal cord, providing access from any angle and distance. This technique can be applied to a variety of cases involving difficult-to-access spinal.