Cervical Osteoplastic Laminotomy Using Autogenous Bone —Technical Note—

: Cervical foraminotomies are performed from the fifth to the eighth cervical nerve roots on both sides. On the side with more marked radiculopathies the laminae are osteotomized to the full extent, but not so completely on the other side. The mass of laminae from C-3 to C-7 is lifted up using the incompletely severed side of the laminae as the fulcrum. The removed spinous processes of C-6 and C-7 are adjusted and fixed between the articular joints and the lifted laminae from C-4 to C-6. This procedure prevents extradural scar formation, there are no complications caused by foreign bodies, postoperative neuroimaging is possible because no metallic artifact is formed, and extensive decompression is achieved for the cervical cord and nerve roots.