Jun Jae Shin, Sun Joon Yoo, Dong Kyu Kim, Hyun Jun Jang, Bong Ju Moon, Kyung Hyun Kim, Jeong Yoon Park, Sung Uk Kuh, Dong Kyu Chin, Keun Su Kim, Yong Eun Cho, Won Joo Jeong, Tae Woo Kim, Chang Kyu Lee, Dong Ah Shin, Seong Yi, Keung Nyun Kim, Joongkyum Shin, Yoon Ha
Neurospine 2025;22(2):337-348. Published online June 30, 2025
Objective To evaluate the impact of the K-line and canal-occupying ratio (COR) on surgical outcomes in patients with multilevel cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).
Methods Patients with cervical myelopathy due to multilevel OPLL who underwent decompression surgery (anterior or posterior) from 2013 to 2022, with 2-year minimum follow-up, were enrolled. Radiological evaluations included K-line, COR, OPLL type/level, and cervical parameters (C2 slope [C2S], T1 slope [T1S], K-line tilt). Clinical outcomes included Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and neck-pain visual analogue scale. Patients were categorized by K-line status (+/-) and COR (<50% or ≥50%).
Results Among 575 patients, JOA recovery was significantly better in the K-line (+) and in low COR (<50%). In high COR (≥50%), K-line (-) was associated with poorer recovery. In low COR, outcomes were similar regardless of K-line. Anterior decompression with fusion (ADF) yielded the best outcomes. Laminoplasty (LP) was optimal for COR ≥50% and/or K-line (+), while laminectomy with fusion (LF) was better for COR ≥50% and K-line (-). In high COR, K-line was influenced by cervical alignment, C2S, and T1S, while in low COR, it was mainly affected by COR percentage.
Conclusion Combining K-line and COR is essential for surgical planning in multilevel OPLL. When COR is high, K-line plays a significant role in predicting neurological recovery. ADF led to superior recovery, whereas for patients with K-line (-) and high COR, LF offered better results than LP. Cervical parameters at high COR influence the K-line more.
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Objective This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (ULBD) using biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (BESS) in patients with central canal stenosis, with and without low-grade degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).
Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted on 170 patients who underwent BESS-ULBD between 2015 and 2018, with at least 2 years of follow-up. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: group A (68 patients) with central stenosis and low-grade DLS and group B (102 patients) with central stenosis alone. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Modified MacNab criteria. Radiological assessments included sagittal translation measurements on dynamic flexion-extension radiographs.
Results Both groups significantly improved clinical outcomes at the final follow-up (p<0.05). Group A’s mean VAS scores improved from 3.8±2.4 to 1.9±2.0 for back pain and from 6.4±1.8 to 2.3±2.0 for leg pain. In group B, back pain improved from 3.9±2.5 to 1.7±1.9, and leg pain from 6.6±2.0 to 2.2±2.2. ODI scores also improved significantly in both groups. Radiological evaluation showed no significant changes in sagittal translation postoperatively, indicating preserved spinal stability. Both groups had comparable clinical outcomes, with no major complications reported.
Conclusion BESS-ULBD is a safe and effective minimally invasive option for managing central canal stenosis, with or without low-grade DLS. This technique provides substantial symptom relief, preserves spinal stability, and presents a promising alternative to more invasive fusion procedures in carefully selected patients.
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Objective This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with AOSpine A3 or A4 thoracolumbar fractures presenting with neurological deficits treated with endoscopic decompression combined with percutaneous pedicle screws fixation (endoscopic minimally invasive surgery, EMIS) or conventional open surgery (OS).
Methods Data of patients with AOSpine A3 or A4 thoracolumbar fractures with neurological deficits who were treated with EMIS or OS between June 2019 and July 2021 were extracted from the electronic database. Various clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 cohorts.
Results Among the 231 patients who were followed up for more than 2 years, 107 were in the EMIS cohort and 124 were in the OS cohort. Compared with the OS cohort, the EMIS cohort had longer operative time (p<0.05), but the intraoperative blood loss, incision length and hospital stay were significantly reduced (p<0.05). At both postoperative and final follow-up assessments, the EMIS cohort demonstrated significantly better visual analogue scale and Oswestry Disability Index outcomes compared to the OS cohort (p<0.05). Both cohorts maintained similar correction of spinal canal erosion rate, percentage of anterior vertebral height and sagittal Cobb angle after surgery and at the last follow-up (p>0.05). According to American Spinal Injury Association classification, the 2 cohorts had similar neurological recovery at the last follow-up (p>0.05).
Conclusion In comparison to OS, EMIS treatment for AOSpine A3 or A4 thoracolumbar fractures with neurological deficits has shown comparable clinical efficacy while significantly reducing surgical trauma.
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Objective Our previous study categorized atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) morphology into 3 types, with types II and III-AOJ associated with Chiari malformation (CM) with and without type II basilar invagination (II-BI), respectively. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of tailoring surgical strategies for patients with CM based on AOJ morphological types.
Methods We retrospectively studied 212 CM patients who underwent foramen magnum decompression (FMD) or combined occipitocervical fusion (OCF). Patients were divided into 4 groups: (1) pure CM with II-AOJ who underwent FMD (CM-II-FMD); (2) pure CM with III-AOJ who underwent FMD+OCF (CM-III-OCF); (3) CM-III-FMD; and (4) CM+ II-BI with III-AOJ who underwent FMD+OCF (BI-III-OCF). Clinical data, including manifestations, imaging findings, surgical details, and neurological assessments, were analyzed at the final follow-up to assess surgical efficacy.
Results Patients in the BI-III-OCF, CM-III-OCF, and CM-II-FMD groups exhibited a significant improvement in clinical symptoms (pain, sensory disturbances, motor weakness, gait ataxia, and bladder and bowel dysfunction) compared to preoperative levels (p<0.05). Results from the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale and Neck Disability Index indicated a significant reduction in the degree of neurological impairment within these groups (p<0.05). Furthermore, the Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale scores indicated superior surgical outcomes for patients in these groups. Imaging analyses demonstrated significant reductions in the syringomyelic segment, syringomyelia width, and tonsillar herniation distance among these patients (p<0.05). However, the CM-III-FMD group did not significantly improve in these areas (p>0.05). Postoperative complications occurred in 4.3% of FMD+OCF patients and 3.3% of FMD-only patients.
Conclusion AOJ morphological types can guide surgical treatment strategies for CM with or without II-BI. FMD alone is suitable for II-AOJ cases, whereas III-AOJ cases should be treated with FMD combined with OCF.
The growth of minimally invasive techniques in spine surgery has accelerated in recent years, leading to development of new techniques and technology such as robotic-assisted spine surgery and full-endoscopic surgery. While robotic spine surgery offers the potential of increased precision and accuracy in instrumentation, endoscopic techniques are beneficial in reducing collateral tissue damage and allowing patients a faster return to function. We describe a case where we combine a robotic guidance system with a full-endoscopic technique, the trans-superior articular process decompression. We aim to share our experience as well as an overview of the surgical technique.
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Neurospine 2025;22(1):40-47. Published online March 31, 2025
Objective This study aims to assess global trends in the use of open surgery versus minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for the treatment of single-level L4–5 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).
Methods A cross-sectional online survey issued by the AO Spine Knowledge Forum Degenerative was conducted among AO Spine members between July and September 2023. Participants were presented with 3 clinical cases of L4–5 grade 1 DLS, each with varying degrees of stenosis and instability. The survey captured surgeon demographics and preferences for open versus MIS approaches. Statistical analysis, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, was performed to explore associations between surgical choices and surgeon demographics.
Results A total of 943 surgeons responded, with 479 completing the survey. Open surgery was the preferred approach in all 3 cases (58.8%, 57.3%, and 42.4%, respectively), particularly in cases involving central and bilateral foraminal stenosis. MIS was the second most common choice, particularly for unilateral foraminal stenosis with mild instability (38.8%). Surgeons’ preferences varied significantly by region, age, and fellowship training, with younger and fellowship-trained surgeons more likely to prefer MIS.
Conclusion The study highlights the continued predominance of open surgery for DLS, especially in complex cases, despite the growing acceptance of MIS. Significant regional and demographic variations in surgical preferences suggest the need for tailored guidelines and standardized training protocols to optimize patient outcomes. Future research should focus on the long-term efficacy of these approaches and the impact of evolving technologies on surgical decision-making.
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Objective This study aimed to compare the clinical and comprehensive radiological outcomes of 3 types of endoscopic decompression surgery: unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar decompression (UBELD), microendoscopic laminotomy (MEL), and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression (PELD).
Methods Patients with single-level lumbar spinal stenosis without instability were included in this multicenter retrospective study. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for each extremity, VAS back pain, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores at preoperative and postoperative 1st, 6th, and 12th months were used as clinical outcome measures. In order to compare the radiological results of the patients, bilateral superior articular distance (SAD), bilateral lateral recess height (LR height), bilateral lateral recess angle (LR angle), and cross-sectional spinal canal area values were measured.
Results Eighty patients in the UBELD group, 73 patients in the MEL group, and 62 patients in the PELD group were included in the study. There was a statistically significant improvement in VAS scores and JOA scores in all groups compared to the preoperative period. At the 12th month postoperatively, the highest lateral decompression values on the approach side were determined as MEL (SAD: 4.1 mm, LR angle: 38.8°, LR height: 4.0 mm), followed by UBELD (SAD: 3.6 mm, LR angle: 36.2°, LR height: 3.3 mm) and PELD (SAD: 3.0 mm, LR angle: 21.7°, LR height: 2.3 mm), respectively. For the contralateral side, the highest lateral recess decompression values were listed as UBELD > MEL > PELD.
Conclusion Effective decompression can be performed using all endoscopic techniques in lumbar spinal stenosis. However lateral recess decompression values were found to be better in UBELD and MEL techniques, compared to PELD.
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Objective Spinal stenosis is a prevalent condition; however, the optimal surgical treatment for central lumbar stenosis remains controversial. This study compared the clinical outcomes and radiological parameters of 3 surgical methods: unilateral laminectomy bilateral decompression with unilateral biportal endoscopy (ULBD-UBE), conventional subtotal laminectomy (STL), and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).
Methods This retrospective study included 86 patients, divided into ULBD-UBE (n=34), STL (n=24), and MIS-TLIF (n=28) groups. We evaluated demographics and perioperative factors and assessed clinical outcomes using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC). Radiological parameters assessed included lumbar lordosis, L4S1 Cobb angle (L4S1), T12S1 Cobb angle (T12S1), increased cross-sectional dural area (CSA), dynamic angulation (DA), dynamic slip (DS), and development of postoperative instability.
Results The ULBD-UBE group showed a significantly shorter hospital stay duration and operation time and reduced blood loss than the other groups (p<0.001). ULBD-UBE group showed a trend towards greater VAS and ODI improvement at 1 month and postoperative NIC symptom relief. Radiologically, MIS-TLIF group exhibited lower postoperative DA and DS (p<0.001), indicating higher postoperative stability. Postoperative instability was lower in the ULBD-UBE group (2.9%) than in the STL group (16.7%) and similar to the MIS-TLIF group (0.0%) (p=0.028). The CSA was highest in the MIS-TLIF group (295.5%) compared to that in the other groups (ULBD-UBE, 216.3%; STL, 245.2%) (p<0.001).
Conclusion Compared to other procedures, ULBD-UBE is a safe, effective, and viable surgical procedure for treating lumbar central stenosis.
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Objective The purpose of this study is to describe utilization, demographics, complications, and revisions for patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) with stenosis undergoing decompression or decompression with fusion in the United States.
Methods A national insurance database was used to identify patients who underwent either decompression and fusion or decompression alone for management of DS from 2010–2022. Utilization trends, demographics, and complications for each procedure were compared.
Results A total of 162,878 patients were identified, of which 78,043 patients underwent combined single-level lumbar decompression and fusion and 84,835 underwent single-level lumbar decompression alone. Between 2010–2021, lumbar decompression and fusion became the predominant surgical intervention for DS in 2016 and continued to account for more than half of all procedures during the remainder of the study period. Factors such as age, sex, comorbidities, geographic region, and physician specialty training were associated with procedure choice. Decompression with fusion was associated with a lower risk of revision surgery up to 5 years postoperatively and an overall lower incidence of 30-day complications.
Conclusion Decompression with fusion has become the most common treatment for lumbar DS over the past decade despite a lack of compelling evidence supporting its use compared to decompression alone. A variety of patient and surgeon-specific factors is associated with procedure choice. After accounting for cofounders, we identified treatment-specific complications that may be valuable when counseling patients.
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Objective To compare clinical and radiographic outcomes between 2 motion preservation surgeries, cervical disc replacement (CDR) and posterior endoscopic cervical decompression (PECD), for unilateral cervical radiculopathy.
Methods Between February 2018 and December 2020, 60 patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy who underwent either CDR or PECD were retrospectively recruited as matched pairs. Clinical outcomes included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for neck and arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and satisfaction rates. The radiographic outcome was index level motion. Intraoperative data, complications, and hospital stay were collected. Preoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared.
Results Patients undergoing CDR or PECD were included, with 30 cases in each group. Matched pairs were compared in terms of demographic data and preoperative measurements. CDR was associated with shorter operative times, whereas PECD resulted in less intraoperative blood loss. The total complication rate was 5%. NDI and VAS for neck and arm were significantly improved in both groups, with no significant differences between the 2 groups. Satisfaction rates of good and excellent exceeded 87% in both groups. CDR was superior to PECD in the restoration of disc height. Early postoperative follow-up showed no significant difference in terms of index level motion. PECD demonstrated significantly shorter hospital stays and quicker return-to-work times (p<0.05).
Conclusion PECD achieved equivalent clinical and radiologic outcomes compared with CDR when the certain criteria for surgery were met. Both techniques demonstrated the potential to maintain index level motion. Additionally, PECD resulted in less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster return-to-work times. Conversely, CDR offered shorter operative times and better restoration of disc height.
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Objective The study compared the morphometric changes of the cervical spinal cord using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and assessed the correlation with kinematic changes, cord cross-sectional area (CSA), and high signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI).
Methods Patients with CSM were evaluated through dynamic MRI for sagittal and axial CSA changes of the cervical cord, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reserve ratio, degree of cord impingement, cord compression rate, range of motion (ROM), and severity of SI on T2WI. The degree of cord impingement was evaluated using the Muhle grading system. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring and Nurick grade.
Results The study included 191 patients (113 males) with a mean age of 55.34 ± 12.09 years. The lowest sagittal CSF reserve ratio and cord occupation rate were observed during extension. Cord impingement and SI change were more prevalent in extension-positioned MRI. There was no difference between ROM on dynamic radiographs and dynamic MRI. Preoperative cervical ROM was greater in patients with intensely high SI change.
Conclusion Dynamic MRI is useful for evaluating neck movement. Patients with high SI had greater ROM before surgery but worse outcomes after. Neck extension exacerbated cervical stenosis and cord compression compared to flexion, and cervical spinal motion contributed to the severity of CSM. Cervical spinal motion should be carefully evaluated, particularly in hyperextension, to prevent worsening of CSM.
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Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of anterior column reconstruction using single or double titanium mesh cage (TMC) after total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) of thoracic and lumbar spinal tumors.
Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed involving 39 patients with thoracic or lumbar spinal tumors. All patients underwent TES, followed by anterior reconstruction and screw-rod instrumentation via a posterior-only procedure. Twenty-two patients in group A were treated with a single TMC to reconstruct the anterior column, whereas 17 patients in group B were reconstructed with double TMCs.
Results The overall follow-up is 20.5 ± 4.6 months. There is no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding age, sex, body mass index, tumor location, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss. The time for TMC placement was significantly shortened in the double TMCs group (5.2 ± 1.3 minutes vs. 15.6 ± 3.3 minutes, p = 0.004). Additionally, postoperative neural complications were significantly reduced with double TMCs (5/22 vs. 0/17, p = 0.046). The kyphotic Cobb angle and mean intervertebral height were significantly corrected in both groups (p ≤ 0.001), without obvious loss of correction at the last follow-up in either group. The bone fusion rates for single TMC and double TMCs were 77.3% and 76.5%, respectively.
Conclusion Using 2 smaller TMCs instead of a single large one eases the placement of TMC by shortening the time and avoiding nerve impingement. Anterior column reconstruction with double TMC is a clinically feasible, and safe alternative following TES for thoracic and lumbar tumors.
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3D-printed tantalum artificial vertebral body or titanium mesh in anterior column reconstruction post-spondylectomy for thoracic vertebral tumors: a retrospective comparative cohort study and finite element analysis Hui Lv, Meitao Xu, Qiuchi Ai, Fuyou Wang, Zhongrong Zhang, Tianyong Hou Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Objective To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes following lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) between direct and indirect decompression in the treatment of patients with degenerative lumbar diseases.
Methods Patients who underwent single-level LLIF were randomized into 2 groups: direct decompression (group D) and indirect decompression (group I). Clinical outcomes including the Oswestry Disability index and visual analogue scale of back and leg pain were collected. Radiographic outcomes including cross-sectional area (CSA) of thecal sac, disc height, foraminal height, foraminal area, fusion rate, segmental, and lumbar lordosis were measured.
Results Twenty-eight patients who met the inclusion criteria were eligible for the analysis, with a distribution of 14 subjects in each group. The average age was 66.1 years. Postoperatively, significant improvements were observed in all clinical parameters. However, these improvements did not show significant difference between both groups at all follow-up periods. All radiographic outcomes were not different between both groups, except for the increase in CSA which was significantly greater in group D (77.73 ± 20.26 mm2 vs. 54.32 ± 35.70 mm2, p = 0.042). Group I demonstrated significantly lower blood loss (68.13 ± 32.06 mL vs. 210.00 ± 110.05 mL, p < 0.005), as well as shorter operative time (136.35 ± 28.07 minutes vs. 182.18 ± 42.67 minutes, p = 0.002). Overall complication rate was not different.
Conclusion Indirect decompression through LLIF results in comparable clinical improvement to LLIF with additional direct decompression over 1-year follow-up period. These findings suggest that, for an appropriate candidate, direct decompression in LLIF might not be necessary since the ligamentotaxis effect achieved through indirect decompression appears sufficient to relieve symptoms while diminishing blood loss and operative time.
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Objective To compare outcomes of posterior fossa bony decompression alone (PFD) versus PFD with duraplasty (PFDD) versus PFDD with additional obex exploration (PFDDO) in patients with Chiari malformation type I (CMI) combining syringomyelia.
Methods Clinical records of adult patients who underwent decompressions from 2014 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The decompression procedure was individualized based on the cerebrospinal fluid pulse in the surgical field. The Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS) was used to assess the prognosis of the patients and a novel syringomyelia resolution scale, based on 3-dimensional volume, was introduced. The percentage change in the cervical syrinx volume was classified as follows by resolution: ≥ 70%, 30%–70%, and < 30%.
Results Seventy-eight individuals were enrolled, of which 22, 20, and 36 underwent PFD, PFDD, and PFDDO, respectively. The three decompression groups had no significant difference in the preoperative characteristics and postoperative prognosis. Multivariate analyses revealed that better CCOS was significantly correlated with younger age at surgery (p = 0.018), syrinx originated from lower cervical levels (p = 0.037), narrower preoperative cerebral aqueduct (p = 0.005), and better syrinx volume resolution (p = 0.004). Additionally, a better cervical syrinx volume resolution was significantly correlated with higher CCOS (p = 0.017), narrower cerebral aqueduct (p = 0.035), and better tonsillar descent resolution (p = 0.007).
Conclusion Individualized functional decompression induced an equal effect on CCOS and syrinx volume resolution for all CMI patients with syringomyelia. Our syringomyelia resolution scale facilitates communication and prediction of CMI prognosis.
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Objective To present an innovative, modified endoscopic approach for foraminal/extraforaminal pathologies, to reduce postoperative dysesthesia (POD) following the conventional transforaminal endoscopic approach (the access angle more than 45° from the midline), since POD is one of the major documented disadvantages that may compromise patient satisfaction.
Methods We introduce a modified posterolateral technique, termed the intertransverse approach, utilizing a steeper access angle less than 25° through the intertransversarii muscle and the intertransverse space with expanding Kambin triangle via lateral facetectomy/foraminoplasty, to reduce dorsal root ganglion/exiting nerve root irritation under direct visualization and lower the incidence of POD. Consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic spine surgery via the intertransverse approach for foraminal and/or extraforaminal disc herniations or bony stenosis were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes were reviewed with the primary outcome being POD.
Results Twenty-two patients were included in the review. Patients showed significantly improved clinical outcomes (visual analogue scale leg and back pain and Oswestry Disability Index) postoperatively. There was a low rate of dorsal root ganglion (DRG)-related POD (9.1%, 2 of 22) that was minimal and resolved soon.
Conclusion The inter-transverse endoscopic approach is feasible for lumbosacral foraminal and extraforaminal decompression with significantly improved clinical outcomes and the added advantage of a low rate of DRG-related POD compared to traditionally reported rates in the literature for the conventional transforaminal approach.
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