Objective
This study aimed to describe the surgical technique in patients with cervical herniated disc treated with unilateral biportal endoscopic spinal surgery.
Materials and Methods
Working and viewing portals were created in each unilateral paravertebral area at the target disc level. Under exploring by endoscopic view, effective decompression was possible via safe access to the medial foramen with minimal laminectomy and facetectomy. We evaluated 27 patients, and clinical outcome was analyzed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Neck disability index (NDI), Macnab criteria, and motor function of involved upper extremity, all assessed before and 3, 6 months post procedure.
Results
The VASs for axial neck pain and upper extremity pain decreased from 6.8 to 1.9 and 7.7 to 1.5, respectively, at 6 months post procedure. The NDIs were improved from 45.5 to 13.0 at 6 months post procedure. According to the Macnab criteria, an ‘Excellent’ , ‘Good’ , and ‘Fair’ result was obtained in 55.6%, 29.6%, and 14.8% subjects, respectively. The motor power of involved upper extremity improved as an approximately one grade on average at 6 months post procedure; 3.9±0.8 to 4.8±0.4.
Conclusions
Unilateral biportal endoscopic spinal cervical surgery can be an efficient and safe intervention in patients with cervical herniated disc.