Technique of minimally invasive cervical foraminotomy

BACKGROUND: Posterior cervical foraminotomy is a long utilized and commonly performed procedure, but has been supplanted inmany cases by anterior procedures.With the advent of minimally invasive techniques, posterior foraminotomy may again deserve a prominent place in the treatment of cervical foraminal stenosis. OBJECTIVE: To report in detail a successfully utilized minimally invasive technique and the results in a large series of patients, by a single author. METHODS: The technique is described and illustrated in detail. A retrospective review of the use of this technique in a large series is reported. RESULTS: Precise details of the technique are described with specific attention to complication avoidance. In over 360 cases, there have been no nerve root injuries other than idiopathic C5 palsies, nowound infections, and a single durotomy that required no specific treatment. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy is a well-tolerated and effective procedure which can be performed with minimal complications when attention to detail is maintained.