Selective Cervical Laminectomy of Limited Width by Muscle-Sparing Technique Using Anatomical Plane Exposures

In conventional surgical exposure for posterior cervical spine surgeries, the deep extensor muscles and intervertebral joints with their capsules are damaged, sometimes resulting in unstable spine, abnormal spinal curvature, and residual neck and shoulder pain. To prevent such problems, laminectomy has been frequently combined with instrumentation. Recent laminoplasties has been reinforced with metal devices to hold the expanded laminae. Under such circumstances, the medical cost for spine care might be skyrocketing.