Application of syringosubarachnoid shunt through key-hole laminectomy. Technical note.

The authors describe the key-hole laminectomy technique (KHLT) for application of syringosubarachnoid shunts. This technique was used in 29 patients with noncommunicating syringomyelia. In all cases the shunts were inserted successfully without any peri- or late postoperative complications. The late follow-up magnetic resonance examinations revealed the clear collapse of syrinx in all cases. The authors advocate use of the KHLT because it is associated with less surgery-related trauma, epidural fibrosis, infection, and spinal instability.