Nonlaminotomy bilateral decompression: a novel approach in biportal endoscopic spine surgery for spinal stenosis

Abstract

Biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS) is an emerging technique for lumbar spinal stenosis. Previous BESS techniques involve partial osteotomy for access to spinal canal such as partial laminotomy, partial facetectomy, and other forms to access the spinal canal for decompression. However, approaches that include osteotomy can cause bone bleeding intraoperatively, leading to obscured vision, and may be at risk of postoperative facet arthritis and segmental instability due to damage to the posterior stability structure. This study aimed to introduce a BESS technique, i.e., nonlaminotomy bilateral decompression (NLBD) that allows for decompression through the interlaminar space without damaging the posterior bony structures. For this, various sizes of curved curettes are mainly used than Kerrison rongeurs. The small tip of the curved curette allows it to reach any part of the spinal canal through the interlaminar space, and its rounded back reduces the risk of nerve damage during decompression. In addition, by changing the portals, decompression through the interlaminar space can be performed without osteotomy. Nine checkpoints were assessed for the complete decompression during surgery. In conclusion, NLBD is an alternative BESS approach that achieves adequate decompression while preserving the posterior structure as much as possible.