• Dong Hwa Heo, Jin Sung Kim, Cheol Woong Park, Javier Quillo-Olvera, and Choon Keun Park.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Spine Center, The Leon Wiltse Memorial Hospital, Suwon, South Korea.
• World Neurosurg. 2019 Feb 1; 122: 474-479.

BackgroundUse of a contralateral sublaminar endoscopic approach may minimize facet violation and better visualize the dura and cystic lesions during operation. The aim of this study was to introduce a surgical technique for contralateral sublaminar endoscopic removal of lumbar juxtafacet cysts using a percutaneous biportal endoscopic approach.MethodsTen cases of lumbar juxtafacet cyst were consecutively treated via a contralateral sublaminar endoscopic approach using percutaneous biportal endoscopic surgery. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans were evaluated on postoperative day 1 for optimal removal of cysts and neural decompression status. Clinical findings were evaluated in preoperative and postoperative periods using a visual analog scale for leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index.ResultsTen lumbar juxtafacet cysts in 10 patients were treated using the contralateral sublaminar biportal endoscopic approach. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging depicted complete removal of juxtafacet cysts and optimal neural decompression of treated segments in all patients. Preoperative visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores improved significantly after surgery: visual analog scale scores changed from 7.64 ± 0.71 preoperatively to 1.63 ± 1.28 at last follow-up visit (P < 0.05), and Oswestry Disability Index scores changed from 45.35 ± 16.15 to 15.82 ± 10.21 (P < 0.05). Mean operative time was 60.1 ± 23.4 minutes.ConclusionsA contralateral sublaminar approach using percutaneous biportal endoscopy may be an alternative treatment for symptomatic lumbar juxtafacet cysts. This approach may minimize iatrogenic facet violation and traumatization of posterior musculoligamentous structures.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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