–Minimally invasive approach to treat multisegmental disc herniation and spinal stenosis
Our orthopedic and spine specialists recently successfully performed posterior cervical 3-7 unidirectional spinal canalplasty + microplate internal fixation for a patient with multisegmental cervical spinal stenosis using minimally invasive techniques. The patient, who had been treated by several specialists at several major hospitals in Nanning for 10 years for neck and back pain with numbness and weakness in the left upper limbs and both lower limbs, came to our Orthopedic and Spine Department for treatment after being referred by a friend. After careful questioning of medical history, physical examination and film reading, the expert professor of the department diagnosed his condition as cervical spinal stenosis. After strict conservative treatment failed, the experts of the department decided to perform minimally invasive cervical spine surgery for him. At present, the patient has successfully completed the surgery, and after the surgery, the patient has less damage, faster recovery and less pain. Huang Baohua, Department of Bone and Spine, Ruikang Hospital, Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
For patients with multi-segment cervical spinal stenosis like this, the traditional treatment method is anterior total vertebral decompression + plate internal fixation, however, this surgical method is highly invasive and risky. When a patient has multiple cervical disc herniations combined with cervical spinal stenosis, posterior cervical spine opening surgery is required. Posterior opening surgery is performed by lifting the posterior lamina from one side to enlarge the spinal canal, which will naturally cause the spinal cord to recede to the back, thus reducing spinal cord compression. The number of segments of the herniated disc, whether the herniated disc is combined with ligamentous ossification, and the degree of spinal stenosis should be determined by the surgeon when deciding whether to operate anteriorly or posteriorly. In severe cases, combined anterior and posterior surgery may be required. At present, our orthopedic spine department adopts minimally invasive surgery, which is less traumatic, less painful, and faster for patients to recover, saving them pain and hospitalization costs.