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Updated: May 7, 2026
Laminectomy for the Removal of Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum TOLF Using Ultrasonic and Conventional Osteotomes
Published on: April 21, 2023
Posterior uniportal endoscopic laminotomy for cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament: a case report
Baoliang Li1, Zhigang Shi2, Jianxin Zhang1
1Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
Background:
The management of cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with unilateral radiculopathy poses significant challenges. Posterior uniportal endoscopic laminotomy offers a minimally invasive alternative, yet its application in OPLL-related stenosis remains technically demanding and underreported.
Case Summary:
A 49-year-old female presented with progressive left upper limb radiculopathy, numbness, weakness, and cervicobrachial pain due to OPLL-induced severe neuroforaminal and lateral recess stenosis at C6-C7 and C7-T1. Through a single 1-cm incision, posterior endoscopic decompression was performed via unilateral laminotomy at both target levels. The procedure was completed in 1.5 h with minimal blood loss. Postoperatively, the patient showed rapid symptomatic improvement, with significant reduction in pain and recovery of grip strength by 6-month follow-up. Integrating contemporary evidence with technical experience, we outline key procedural insights to support the adoption of this technique in selected OPLL cases.
Conclusion:
Posterior uniportal endoscopic laminotomy is a feasible and effective minimally invasive option for selected OPLL patients with unilateral radiculopathy. It achieves clinical improvement while preserving spinal motion and avoiding fusion-related complications, provided patient selection and surgical technique are optimized.
