Posterolateral full-endoscopic lumbar foraminoplasty for lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis

Abstract

We developed a novel full-endoscopic lumbar foraminoplasty (FELF) for lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis. To decompress the exiting nerve root safely, we resected upper posterior edge of the lower vertebral body before root decompression. This procedure was performed on 7 patients. The results were good in 6 cases. At the first case, reoperation (FELF) was required because of sustained leg pain for insufficient decompression. The result of reoperation was good. FELF is an effective procedure for lumbar foraminal stenosis not only with spondylosis but with lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis.