Minimally Invasive Management of a C6-7 Disk Extrusion Through a Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

This operative video details treatment of a cervical disk herniation through a minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy and microdiskectomy. A man in his 20s presented with unilateral C6-7 radiculopathy, and imaging findings indicated a paracentral disk herniation at C6-7. There was no evidence of spinal cord compression or cervical myelopathy and no severe spondylosis. Therefore, a posterior cervical foraminotomy was offered rather than an anterior diskectomy and fusion or arthroplasty to preserve segmental motion and limit potential implant-related complications. The patient consented to the procedure. This video reviews the nuances of this approach and the key surgical steps to ensure adequate decompression without introducing iatrogenic instability. The patient tolerated the procedure well and reported immediate relief of radicular pain after surgery. He returned to work without activity restrictions at the 2-week mark. Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.