Objective This study evaluates surgical strategies based on preoperative computed tomography (CT) findings during unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery for thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) with dural ossification.
Methods This retrospective study included patients undergoing posterior thoracic laminectomy via UBE surgery to treat symptomatic thoracic stenosis due to OLF. Clinical outcomes were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, alongside analyses of preoperative CT and intraoperative videos for dural ossification characteristics.
Results A total of 34 patients participated, showing significant improvements in VAS and JOA scores postoperatively. All focal dural ossifications exhibiting the tram-track sign were effectively excised without significant dural defects. The circumferential floating technique was employed for cases with the bridge sign, whereas wide excision was warranted for those with the comma sign.
Conclusion UBE surgery effectively manages progressive thoracic OLF associated with dural ossification. Preoperative CT imaging is essential for assessing dural involvement and guiding surgical techniques. Microscopic surgery is recommended for inexperienced surgeons requiring wide dural excision.
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Neurospine 2025;22(2):583-591. Published online June 30, 2025
Objective Endoscopic spine surgery implies possibly severe complications of the central nervous system, from headache to seizures and autonomic dysreflexia. These adverse events might be due to increased intracranial pressure (ICP), presumably induced by increased spinal intra-/epidural pressure caused by fluid irrigation. This study was designed to perform interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy (IELD) at different irrigation fluid settings while monitoring its effect on intra-/epidural and ICPs, with and without dural tears.
Methods Spinal intradural pressures were measured by introducing catheters through a sacral approach to human cadavers’ lumbar, thoracic, and cervical levels. Additionally, an epidural probe was placed at L3–4. ICP was measured by an intraventricular probe. IELD was performed at L3–4, and the effect of varying irrigation pressures by different endoscopic pump systems and gravity-based irrigation on intra-/epidural and ICP pressures was measured before and after durotomy at L3–4.
Results Intradural pressure at L3–4 correlated linearly with increasing irrigation pressure, irrespective of the used pump system (median pressure increase at 100-mmHg irrigation pressure: system I: 7 mmHg, r=0.94, p=0.002; system II: 7 mmHg, r=0.89, p=0.017) or gravity (8 mmHg, r=0.93, p=0.242). This effect was also seen intradurally at the thoracic/cervical spine, epidural, and intracranial level, and was even more pronounced with the maneuver of outflow-occlusion and a dural tear present.
Conclusion While performing IELD, pump pressures correlated linearly to intra-/epidural pressures and ICPs. Pressures did not rise to concerningly high levels without outflow-occlusion, even with increased pump pressures. In the presence of a dural tear, higher pump pressures exacerbated by occlusion may lead to deleterious intradural and ICP elevations.
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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 The upper lumbar region has distinctive anatomical characteristics that contribute to the challenges of performing discectomy. We introduce far-lateral transforaminal unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) lumbar discectomy for central or paracentral disc herniations in the upper lumbar region.
Methods We conducted retrospective review of the patients who underwent a far-lateral transforaminal UBE lumbar discectomy at our institution from January 2018 to September 2024. The electronic medical records, operative records, and radiologic images of the patients were reviewed.
Results A total of 27 patients underwent far-lateral transforaminal UBE lumbar discectomy for central or paracentral disc herniations in the upper lumbar region. The patient had a mean age of 54.0 ± 13.7 years. Operation was performed at the L1–2 level in 3 patients (11.1%), L2–3 in 9 patients (33.3%), and L3–4 in 15 patients (55.6%). The patients were followed-up for a mean of 27.7 ± 19.3 months. The Oswestry Disability Index was significantly decreased from 36.3 ± 6.8 preoperatively to 3.7 ± 3.3 at last follow-up (p < 0.001). The visual analogue scale (VAS) back was significantly decreased from 7.8 ± 0.9 preoperatively to 3.1 ± 0.6 postoperative day 2 (p < 0.001). The VAS leg was significantly decreased from 8.1 ± 0.8 preoperatively to 2.3 ± 0.7 postoperative day 2 (p < 0.001).
Conclusion The far-lateral transforaminal UBE lumbar discectomy would be a viable surgical option for upper lumbar disc herniations.
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Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) is growing in popularity worldwide. An expanding body of literature demonstrates rapid functional recovery with reduced morbidity compared to open techniques. Both full endoscopic spine surgery, or uniportal endoscopy, and unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) can be employed in conjunction with various navigation and enabling technologies for assistance with localization of anatomic orientation and assessment of the intraoperative target spinal pathology. This review article describes various navigation technologies in ESS, including 2-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic imaging, 2D fluoroscopic navigation, 3-dimensional C-arm navigation, augmented reality, and spinal robotics. Employment of enabling navigation and emerging technology with the registration of patient-specific anatomy enables clear delineation of anatomic landmarks and facilitation of a successful procedure. Additionally, avoidance of common pitfalls during use of navigation systems in ESS is discussed in this review.
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This video provides a step-by-step guide for performing the hybrid endoscopic thoracic discectomy using navigation and robotic arm for addressing high migrated calcified disc herniation. With the development of techniques, endoscopic spine surgery has emerged as a reliable treatment for thoracic myelopathy. This approach offers high-resolution, off-axis visualization of the surgical field. The field is poised to advance further as endoscopic instruments are refined, becoming less invasive and more precise through the integration of navigation and robot-assisted systems. A 62-year-old woman presented to us with chief complaints of both legs weakness. She had difficulty standing and walking after squatted due to weakness in her legs and her Oswestry Disability Index score was 66. On examination her both side knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion were grade 4 without dysesthesia. The imaging examination confirmed the diagnosis of thoracic myelopathy caused by a highly migrated calcified disc herniation at T5–6 level. The patient underwent an endoscopic thoracic discectomy using robotic arm and navigation for addressing highly migrated calcified disc herniation, resulting in an excellent outcome. The continuous development of navigation and robotic systems in endoscopic thoracic surgery enhanced accuracy in surgical incisions and instrument placement, as well as improved efficiency in locating pathology and achieving precise decompression. Endoscopic thoracic discectomy combines full-endoscopy and unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) techniques to leverage the benefits of both approaches, including the cross-viewing of full-endoscopy cannula and the use of larger Kerrison rongeurs under UBE.
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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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