Xinxin Miao1, Dingwen He1, Tianlong Wu1, Xigao Cheng2. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Second Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. 2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Second Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. Electronic address: 406521215127@email.ncu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The percutaneous endoscopic technique through an interlaminar approach is a commonly used minimally invasive procedure in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, even lumbar spinal stenosis. This report describes complete decompression with the percutaneous endoscopic technique for patients with thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF). CASE DESCRIPTION: We performed surgical decompression in of 2 patients with thoracic myelopathy caused by OLF using percutaneous endoscopic surgery through an interlaminar approach. After surgery, the patients described significant improvement in their preoperative neurologic symptoms. Postoperative thoracic computed tomography showed that the ossification of ligaments was completely removed. CONCLUSION: We applied the percutaneous endoscopic technique for the treatment of thoracic OLF accomplished direct decompression of the ossified ligaments with minimal trauma and instability. This technique could be used as an alternative choice. However, the fused types should be performed prudently because of the difficulties of the operation.
BACKGROUND: The percutaneous endoscopic technique through an interlaminar approach is a commonly used minimally invasive procedure in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, even lumbar spinal stenosis. This report describes complete decompression with the percutaneous endoscopic technique for patients with thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF). CASE DESCRIPTION: We performed surgical decompression in of 2 patients with thoracic myelopathy caused by OLF using percutaneous endoscopic surgery through an interlaminar approach. After surgery, the patients described significant improvement in their preoperative neurologic symptoms. Postoperative thoracic computed tomography showed that the ossification of ligaments was completely removed. CONCLUSION: We applied the percutaneous endoscopic technique for the treatment of thoracic OLF accomplished direct decompression of the ossified ligaments with minimal trauma and instability. This technique could be used as an alternative choice. However, the fused types should be performed prudently because of the difficulties of the operation.