Skip to main content

Anterior Endoscopic Cervical Transcorporeal Approach

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Endoscopy of the Spine

Abstract

The constant evolution of spine surgery has resulted in new, highly accurate techniques to reach the pathology with the most negligible impact on the patient’s health. The transcorporeal anterior cervical approach is a clear example of the evolution of a procedure that has been impacted by the development of new technology and surgeon’s skills to make it more functional and minimally invasive.

With the emergence of full-endoscopic surgery around the globe, this technique has also raised new indications. Currently, it is feasible to perform highly addressed neural decompressions with endoscopic procedures, even if bony structures hide the pathology. In addition, the anterior endoscopic or microscopic cervical transcorporeal tunnel approach is a valuable option for treating single-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy in selected patients. Therefore, this chapter reviews the transcorporeal anterior cervical approach in detail and mentions essential aspects of its endoscopic performance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

ACCF:

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion

ACDF:

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

ASD:

Adjacent segment disease

ATc-TCS:

Anterior transcorporeal tunnel approach of the cervical spine

ATd-ECD:

Anterior transdiscal approach of endoscopic cervical discectomy

CDH:

Cervical disc herniation

CSM:

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy

CT:

Computed tomography

DDD:

Degenerative disc disease

IVDH:

Intervertebral disc height

JOA:

Japanise Orthopaedic Association Score

MACF:

Microsurgical anterior cervical foraminotomy

MISS:

Minimally invasive spine surgery

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

PECD:

Percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy

PECD:

Posterior endoscopic cervical discectomy

PECF:

Posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy

PLL:

Posterior longitudinal ligament

RLN:

Recurrent laryngeal nerve

ROM:

Range of motion

SF-36:

36-Item Short Form Survey

VAS:

Visual analog scale

References

  1. Quillo-Olvera J, Lin GX, Kim JS. Percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy: a technical review. Ann Transl Med. 2018;6(6):100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Carr DA, Abecassis IJ, Hofstetter CP. Full endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression of the cervical spine: surgical technique and early experience. J Spine Surg. 2020;6(2):447–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Tajima T, Sakamoto H, Yamakawa H. Discectomie cervicale percutanée. Rev Med Orthop. 1989;17:7–10.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ahn Y, Lee SH, Lee SC, Shin SW, Chung SE. Factors predicting excellent outcome of percutaneous cervical discectomy: analysis of 111 consecutive cases. Neuroradiology. 2004;46(5):378–84.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ahn Y. Percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy using working channel endoscopes. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2016;13(6):601–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Lee SH, Lee JH, Choi WC, Jung B, Mehta R. Anterior minimally invasive approaches for the cervical spine. Orthop Clin North Am. 2007;38(3):327-v.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Tzaan WC. Anterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy for cervical intervertebral disc herniation: outcome, complications, and technique. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2011;24(7):421–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Oh HS, Hwang BW, Park SJ, Hsieh CS, Lee SH. Percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD): an analysis of outcome, Causes of Reoperation. World Neurosurg. 2017;102:583–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Yang JS, Chu L, Chen L, Chen F, Ke ZY, Deng ZL. Anterior or posterior approach of full-endoscopic cervical discectomy for cervical intervertebral disc herniation? A comparative cohort study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2014;39(21):1743–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Hilibrand AS, Robbins M. Adjacent segment degeneration and adjacent segment disease: the consequences of spinal fusion? Spine J. 2004;4(6 Suppl):190S–4S.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Sun MS, Yuchi CX, Cai XY, Du CF, Mo ZJ. Parametric study of anterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (APECD). Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2021;24(6):687–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Ruetten S, Komp M, Merk H, Godolias G. Full-endoscopic anterior decompression versus conventional anterior decompression and fusion in cervical disc herniations. Int Orthop. 2009;33(6):1677–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Fraser JF, Härtl R. Anterior approaches to fusion of the cervical spine: a metaanalysis of fusion rates. J Neurosurg Spine. 2007;6(4):298–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Fountas KN, Kapsalaki EZ, Nikolakakos LG, et al. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion associated complications. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007;32(21):2310–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Hadley MN, Sonntag VK. Cervical disc herniations. The anterior approach to symptomatic interspace pathology. Neurosurg Clin N Am. 1993;4(1):45–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Robinson RA, Smith GW. Anterolateral cervical disc removal and interbody fusion for cervical disc syndrome. Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp. 1955;96:223–4. (Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Cloward RB. The anterior approach for removal of ruptured cervical disks. J Neurosurg. 1958;15(6):602–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Henderson CM, Hennessy RG, Shuey HM Jr, Shackelford EG. Posterior-lateral foraminotomy as an exclusive operative technique for cervical radiculopathy: a review of 846 consecutively operated cases. Neurosurgery. 1983;13(5):504–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Lunsford LD, Bissonette DJ, Jannetta PJ, Sheptak PE, Zorub DS. Anterior surgery for cervical disc disease. Part 1: treatment of lateral cervical disc herniation in 253 cases. J Neurosurg. 1980;53(1):1–11.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Verbiest H. A lateral approach to the cervical spine: technique and indications. J Neurosurg. 1968;28(3):191–203.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Hakuba A. Trans-unco-discal approach. A combined anterior and lateral approach to cervical discs. J Neurosurg. 1976;45(3):284–91.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Lesoin F, Biondi A, Jomin M. Foraminal cervical herniated disc treated by anterior discoforaminotomy. Neurosurgery. 1987;21(3):334–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Snyder GM, Bernhardt M. Anterior cervical fractional interspace decompression for treatment of cervical radiculopathy. A review of the first 66 cases. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1989;(246):92–9.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Jho HD. Microsurgical anterior cervical foraminotomy for radiculopathy: a new approach to cervical disc herniation. J Neurosurg. 1996;84(2):155–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Maduri R, Bobinski L, Duff JM. Minimally invasive anterior foraminotomy for cervical radiculopathy: how I do it. Acta Neurochir. 2020;162(3):679–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Nakai S, Yoshizawa H, Kobayashi S, Hayakawa K. Anterior transvertebral herniotomy for cervical disk herniation. J Spinal Disord. 2000;13(1):16–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Hong WJ, Kim WK, Park CW, et al. Comparison between transuncal approach and upper vertebral transcorporeal approach for unilateral cervical radiculopathy–a preliminary report. Minim Invasive Neurosurg. 2006;49(5):296–301.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Choi G, Lee SH, Bhanot A, Chae YS, Jung B, Lee S. Modified transcorporeal anterior cervical microforaminotomy for cervical radiculopathy: a technical note and early results. Eur Spine J. 2007;16(9):1387–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Kim JS, Eun SS, Prada N, Choi G, Lee SH. Modified transcorporeal anterior cervical microforaminotomy assisted by O-arm-based navigation: a technical case report. Eur Spine J. 2011;20(Suppl 2(Suppl 2)):S147–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Deng ZL, Chu L, Chen L, Yang JS. Anterior transcorporeal approach of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy for disc herniation at the C4-C5 levels: a technical note. Spine J. 2016;16(5):659–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Wu WK, Yan ZJ, Zhang TF, et al. Biomechanical influences of Transcorporeal tunnels on C4 vertebra under physical compressive load under flexion movement: a finite element analysis. World Neurosurg. 2018;114:e199–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Lowe TG, Hashim S, Wilson LA, et al. A biomechanical study of regional endplate strength and cage morphology as it relates to structural interbody support. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2004;29(21):2389–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Hou Y, Luo Z. A study on the structural properties of the lumbar endplate: histological structure, the effect of bone density, and spinal level. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009;34(12):E427–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. He T, Zhang J, Yu T, et al. Comparative analysis of the biomechanical characteristics after different minimally invasive surgeries for cervical spondylopathy: a finite element analysis. [published correction appears in Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2022 Feb 16;10:843486]. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2021;9:772853.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Ren Y, Yang J, Chen CM, et al. Outcomes of discectomy by using full-endoscopic visualization technique via the Transcorporeal and Transdiscal approaches in the treatment of cervical intervertebral disc herniation: a comparative study. Biomed Res Int. 2020;2020:5613459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Quillo-Olvera J, Lin GX, Suen TK, Jo HJ, Kim JS. Anterior transcorporeal tunnel approach for cervical myelopathy guided by CT-based intraoperative spinal navigation: technical note. J Clin Neurosci. 2018;48:218–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Quillo-Olvera J, Akbary K, Kim JS. Percutaneous endoscopic transpedicular approach for high-grade down-migrated lumbar disc herniations. Acta Neurochir. 2018;160(8):1603–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Qiao Y, Liao WB, Du Q, et al. Percutaneous full-endoscopic anterior Transcorporeal Diskectomy for massive migrated cervical disk herniation treatment: case report and review of the literature. World Neurosurg. 2019;132:47–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Kong W, Ao J, Cao G, Xia T, Liu L, Liao W. Local spinal cord decompression through a full endoscopic percutaneous Transcorporeal approach for cervicothoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament at the T1-T2 level. World Neurosurg. 2018;112:287–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Du Q, Zhang MB, Kong WJ, et al. A novel technique of endoscopic anterior Transcorporeal approach with channel repair for adjacent segment disease after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. World Neurosurg. 2021;154:109–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Kong W, Xin Z, Du Q, Cao G, Liao W. Anterior percutaneous full-endoscopic transcorporeal decompression of the spinal cord for single-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy: the technical interpretation and 2 years of clinical follow-up. J Orthop Surg Res. 2019;14(1):461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Kotheeranurak V, Jitpakdee K, Singhatanadgige W, Limthongkul W, Yingsakmongkol W, Kim JS. Anterior transcorporeal full-endoscopic drainage of a long-span ventral cervical epidural abscess: a novel surgical technique. N Am Spine Soc J. 2021;5:100052.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Apostolakis S. Transcorporeal tunnel approach for cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World Neurosurg. 2020;138:318–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Bohlman HH, Emery SE, Goodfellow DB, Jones PK. Robinson anterior cervical discectomy and arthrodesis for cervical radiculopathy. Long-term follow-up of one hundred and twenty-two patients. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1993;75(9):1298–307.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Chen Y, Chen D, Wang X, et al. Anterior corpectomy and fusion for severe ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine. Int Orthop. 2009;33(2):477–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Türeyen K. Disc height loss after anterior cervical microdiscectomy with titanium intervertebral cage fusion. Acta Neurochir. 2003;145(7):565–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Suk KS, Kim KT, Lee SH, Park SW. Prevertebral soft tissue swelling after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with plate fixation. Int Orthop. 2006;30(4):290–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Jagannathan J, Shaffrey CI, Oskouian RJ, et al. Radiographic and clinical outcomes following single-level anterior cervical discectomy and allograft fusion without plate placement or cervical collar. J Neurosurg Spine. 2008;8(5):420–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Yu KX, Chu L, Yang JS, et al. Anterior Transcorporeal approach to percutaneous endoscopic cervical Diskectomy for single-level cervical intervertebral disk herniation: case series with 2-year follow-up. World Neurosurg. 2019;122:e1345–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Quillo-Olvera, J., Quillo-Olvera, D., Quillo-Reséndiz, J., Liu, Y., Kim, JS. (2023). Anterior Endoscopic Cervical Transcorporeal Approach. In: Lui, T.H. (eds) Endoscopy of the Spine. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7761-9_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7761-9_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-19-7760-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-19-7761-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics