Objective: Multilevel laminectomy for exposing the spinal canal to remove spinal cord lesions has been widely used in spine surgery. Destruction of the dorsal structures of the spinal column, detachment of the longitudinal musculature, resection of the vertebral arches, and injury of the joint capsules and ligaments are responsible most of short and late-time complications. Spinal deformities, instability, subluxation, invasion of haematoma and scar tissue into the spinal canal are the most often mentioned complications in the literature. The author main objective was to develop and summarize the novel minimally invasive techniques suitable for exploring and treating different pathologies, located in the midline of the spinal canal with preservation of the stability of the spine.

Methods: 38 patients were operated on with intramedullary laesions located from CIII to LI level of the spine with the newly developed multilevel spinous process splitting and distracting laminotomy technique. The dorsal, paraspinal musculature was not detached from the vertebras. With splitting and distracting the spinous processes and the vertebral arches, the vertebral joints, the joint capsules and the ligaments were not injured, these structures remained mostly intact. To achieve a moderate enlargement and decompression of the spinal canal, complementary intervertebral spacer insertion was performed in some cases. The patients were followed with regular MRI, CT scans and neurological examinations.

Results: Adequate surgery of the lesions located intramedullary was achieved in all patients using our new procedures. Moderate enlargement and permanent decompression of the spinal canal was achieved with the insertion of homologues tricortical iliac crest bone graft or heterologous PEEK spacer. The numbers of split laminae were 3 to 6. The split spinous processes were closed directly to each other in 24 patients. In 9 cases a tricortical bone graft and in 5 cases a heterologous PEEK spacer was inserted between the facing bony parts.

The incidence of postoperative local pain was lower, within acceptable limits, and early mobilization was allowed. The average length of hospital stay was shorter too. The postoperative followup CT scans demonstrated bony healing, with the inserted graft or cage between the osteotomized faces. No compression or dislocation of the spacer was seen. Instability was not detected in any of the patients by fl exion or extension lateral radiographs.

DOI: 10.17489/biohun/2010/1/23