title: A newly developed drill with a polished tip for the anterior cervical approach in spinal canal stenosis: a technical note.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of our efforts was to develop a modified drill that allows a safe milling of the dorsal osteophytes located close to the dura.
  
  
  METHODS
  Usually a normal high-speed drill is used for the resection of uncarthrotic and spondylophytic bone. In one patient, we used our new high-speed drill close to the dura in an area, which is not easy reachable with a normal drill or a rongeur.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Employing the new drill with a polished tip, the spine surgeon is able to overcome the anatomical restrictions, which he has to face when the anterior approach to the cervical spine. The resection of dorsal osteophytes is easy and safe.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The newly developed drill with the polished tip is a safe and high-quality alternative to conventional drills. Further investigations have to be done, to proof the advantages of the new drill.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, University of Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany. mario.leimert@uniklinikum-dresden.de
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leimert
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bostelmann
authors.forename: Tareq A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Juratli
authors.forename: Hans-Dieter
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Mikulin
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schackert
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reitemeier
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000601:surgery; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D054850:Osteophyte / Q000601:surgery; D061214:Patient Safety; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000601:surgery; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013523:Surgical Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects