title: Minimally invasive approaches to the cervical spine.
abstract: Minimally invasive approaches and operative techniques are becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of cervical spine disorders. Minimally invasive spine surgery attempts to decrease iatrogenic muscle injury, decrease pain, and speed postoperative recovery with the use of smaller incisions and specialized instruments. This article explains in detail minimally invasive approaches to the posterior spine, the techniques for posterior cervical foraminotomy and arthrodesis via lateral mass screw placement, and anterior cervical foraminotomy. Complications are also discussed. Additionally, illustrated cases are presented detailing the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center, 1250 16th Street, Suite 745, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA. pcelestre@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Celestre
authors.forename: Pablo R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Pazmiño
authors.forename: Mark M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mikhael
authors.forename: Christopher F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Lacey A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lauryssen
authors.forename: Jeffrey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult