Anterior minimally invasive approaches for the cervical spine.

Abstract

The percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (PECD) with working channel endoscope (WSH) endoscopy set could be a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical option for non-contained cervical disc herniation in selected patients. Judicious use of the end-firing Ho: Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet (YAG) laser for both decompressive and thermoannuloplasty effect during the percutaneous endoscopic cervical annuloplasty (PECA) is mandatory in order to prevent possible injury to spinal cord or root. Although the percutaneous cervical stabilization (PCS) using the cervical B-Twin may not completely replace the cervical arthrodesis, this minimally invasive procedure can preserve anterior structures and thereby retain segmental stability and prevent the possible kyphotic progression after fusion surgery. To our knowledge, these minimally invasive procedures for cervical spine disease may serve to minimize surgery-induced complications associated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).