Thoracic full-endoscopic unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression for treating ossification of the ligamentum flavum with myelopathy

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the curative effect and safety of thoracic full-endoscopic unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression (TE-ULBD) for treating ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) with myelopathy. METHODS: Between January 2015 and December 2018, 23 consecutive patients with symptomatic thoracic OLF were treated with TE-ULBD. Of these, 21 (13 women and 8 men, aged 49–75 years) were included in the study and followed up for a minimum of 1 year. The mean blood loss was 15.48 mL (10–30 mL), operative duration was 78.86 min (55–115 min), and hospitalization was 5.05 days (3–15 days). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) was used to evaluate spinal cord function, and the curative effect was defined by the JOA improvement rate. The area of OLF (AOLF), the maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC), and the area of spinal cord (ASC) were used to evaluate OLF clearance and spinal cord decompression status. RESULTS: At the final follow up,the JOA score was 8.33 points (5–11 points), which was a significant improvement from the preoperative 5.33 points (3–9 points, P<0.01). The excellent and good rate was 76.19% (16/21). The average preoperative AOLF and AOLF ratio were 85.27±23.66 mm(2) and 57.86%±11.86%, respectively, and the postoperative AOLF and AOLF ratio were 16.27±11.75 mm(2) and 8.13%±5.38%, respectively. The MSCC increased from 27.99%±13.51% preoperatively to 48.02%±6.66% postoperatively. The ASC was 42.90±10.60 mm(2) preoperatively and 64.54±21.36 mm(2) postoperatively. There were statistically significant differences in all parameters preoperatively and postoperatively (P<0.01). One case had postoperative hematoma, and the symptoms gradually eased after 3 weeks of conservative treatment. There were no other complications. No recurrence of OLF was detected during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: TE-ULBD is safe and effective for thoracic OLF with the advantages of reduced trauma and bleeding, and faster recovery.