Cervical
endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (CEULBD) is an
applicable surgical method in cases of central canal stenosis, usually associated
with myelopathy. Other authors have shown the feasibility, safety, and efficacy
of this method. They could also demonstrate more favorable perioperative benchmark
data of this procedure than anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in
terms of duration of surgery, blood loss, and hospital stay. In this chapter,
the authors focus on the technological advances making this surgery possible.
Moreover, the authors review the relevant surgical anatomy to enable the
aspiring endoscopic spine surgeon to safely and successfully perform the
CE-ULBD procedure. Experience in advanced endoscopic surgery in other areas of
the spine is recommended before imparting on the posterior endoscopic
decompression of the stenotic central cervical spinal canal. The authors have
implemented CE-ULBD in formalized and wellstructured Endoscopic Spine Academy
(Espinea®) training
programs, intending to provide high educational standards to achieve favorable
outcomes with the CE-ULBD procedure reproducibly.
Keywords: Cervical myelopathy, Cervical spinal canal stenosis, CE-ULBD, Laminotomy, Posterior cervical endoscopic decompression, Spinal cord compression.
