Surgical anatomic evaluation of cervical uncinate process for ventral and ventrolateral subaxial decompression.

An anatomical study was designed to investigate the cervical uncinate processes morphology and their variations. Linear and angular measurements were performed on 145 vertebrae (29 spines) from C3 to C7. The dimensions and variations of the uncinate processes were measured to obtain some morphologic data for an effective neurovacular decompression via the ventral and ventrolateral approaches. Four researchers performed the linear and angular measurements including uncinate process height, width, length, sagittal angle with the superior margin of the vertebral body, inter-uncinate process distance, vertebral body anteroposterior dimeter and width measurements. The data were presented as mean value, standard deviation and range values. These data provide a three-dimensional orientation and anatomical knowledge, and contribute to perform more effective neurovascular decompression with minimizing the surgical complications.