Cervical spine lateral approach for myeloradiculopathy: technique and pitfalls.
BACKGROUND
The authors describe the rationale of cervical spine lateral approach technique to manage spondylotic myeloradiculopathy with its advantages, disadvantages, complications, and pitfalls.


METHODS
The cervical lateral approach could be indicated to treat spondylotic myeloradiculopathy where anterior compression is predominant and the spine is straight or kyphotic without instability.


RESULTS
Using the present approach the lateral aspect of the cervical spine is easily reached and the vertebral artery is well controlled. The lateral part of the pathological intervertebral discs, uncovertebral joints, vertebral bodies and posterior longitudinal ligament are removed as necessary and decompression tailored to each patient to completely free the nerve roots and/or spinal cord.


CONCLUSIONS
The cervical lateral multilevel corpectomy/foraminotomy technique allows wide anterior decompression of the spinal cord and complete unilateral nerve root decompression preserving spinal stability and physiological spinal motion.
Chibbaro
Salvatore
S
Department of Neurosurgery, Lariboisiere University Hospital, 75475 Paris, France.
Mirone
Giuseppe
G
Bresson
Damian
D
George
Bernard
B
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods