Percutaneous Endoscopically Assisted Cervical Facet Reduction

Pp: 200-208 (9)

* (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

The authors describe the percutaneous endoscopic release of jumped and locked cervical facet joints under direct visualization as an alternative technique to open posterior decompression and reduction under capital traction. Instead of under general anesthesia, the procedure can be done under local anesthesia allowing the surgeon to communicate verbally with the injured patient while directly visualizing the decompression, release, and spontaneous reduction of the locked facet, thus, lowering the risk of unrecognized grave neurological complications. The author's endoscopic technique affords the surgeon the ability to provide the patient with a more simplified solution to the jumped and locked facet problem, thereby decreasing the overall morbidity and surgical risks associated with a combined anterior and posterior approach typically performed for this condition. The authors present a representative case example to illustrate their technique.

Keywords: Cervical facet dislocation, Decompression, Jumped facets, Laminectomy, Locked facets, Posterior cervical approach, Spinal cord compression, Spinal endoscopy, Upper motor neuron dysfunction.