Turkish Neurosurgery
Multi-level anterior cervical decompression in multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy without extending the corpus resection: A cadaveric study of a novel surgical technique
Tahsin SAYGI1, Omer OZDEMIR2, Oguz BARAN1, Sevket EVRAN1, Ahmet KAYHAN1, Muhammet Arif OZBEK1, Buruc ERKAN3, Nail DEMIREL4, Selcuk OZDOGAN5
1Haseki Research and Training Hospital, Neurosurgery, Istanbul,
2Hitit University, Erol Olcok Training and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery, Corum,
3Cizre State Hospital, Neurosurgery, Sirnak,
4Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery, Istanbul,
5Beykent University, Medical Faculty, Neurosurgery, Istanbul,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.29896-20.2

Aim:This study contributes a new approach to the literature by introducing multi-level decompression with a minimally invasive method.Material and Methods:The anterior cervical region of four whole-head cadavers was dissected. The corpectomy was performed under a surgical microscope with an MT4-20+ bone cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) tip. Superior and inferior decompression were conducted and viewed with a 70° neuroendoscope using two types (vertically and horizontally oriented) of specially designed 23 mm-long, 90°-angled bone CUSA tips. Results:After neck dissection and the removal of the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, C5 corpectomy and adjacent-level discectomies were performed. Following discectomy and corpectomy, superior and inferior decompression were conducted with specially designed ultrasonic bone CUSA tips and viewed with a 70° neuroendoscope. A three-level anterior cervical decompression was provided with a single-level corpectomy.Conclusion:This study demonstrated that two more level decompression is possible with a single-level corpectomy in the cervical region using the new technique.

Corresponding author : Tahsin SAYGI