Clinical Observation of Posterior Percutaneous Full-Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy as a Treatment for Osseous Foraminal Stenosis

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effects of posterior percutaneous full-endoscopic cervical foraminotomy in patients with osseous foraminal stenosis. METHODS: Nine patients with osseous foraminal stenosis underwent surgery using the posterior percutaneous full-endoscopic cervical foraminotomy technique and received follow-up care for 1 year. The visual analog scale score, neck disability index, and modified Macnab criteria were recorded at the last follow-up. All patients underwent three-dimensional computed tomography of the cervical spine, which was reviewed within 1 week postoperatively. RESULTS: All operations were successful, and all patients received follow-up care. The mean operation time was 80 minutes. Surgical bleeding was not observed, and no related complications occurred. Postoperative visual analog scale and neck disability index scores were significantly reduced compared with the preoperative assessment. In addition, imaging showed that the osteophytes in the intervertebral foramen were adequately resected. According to modified Macnab criteria, 6 cases showed excellent results, 3 cases showed good results, and no fine or bad results were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior percutaneous full-endoscopic cervical foraminotomy can accomplish full nerve root decompression and is a safe, feasible procedure. Therefore, it can be a treatment option for patients with osseous foraminal stenosis.