14.3. Planning
@ProfFishchenkoPlanning the approach to C5–C6
When planning the approach to the required level, we mark reference lines on the skin:
• Midline — solid red.
• A parallel line — dashed red, 1–1.5 cm lateral.
• A perpendicular line — solid blue, at the target intervertebral level.
• A line parallel to the latter — dashed blue, 1–1.5 cm away.
We plan the skin incisions at the intersections of the lines.
For a left-sided approach, the cranial portal is used for the endoscope and the caudal portal for working instruments.
For a right-sided approach, the caudal portal is used for the endoscope and the cranial portal for working instruments.
Midline — solid red.
C5–C6 level — solid blue.
Incision line — dashed red.
Planning of the viewing and working portals — dashed blue.
Working portal — red circle.
Viewing portal — blue circle.
References
1. Kim JY, et al. Anatomical importance between neural structure and bony landmark: clinical importance for posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy. Neurospine. 2021;18(1):139–146.
2. Song KS, Lee CW. The biportal endoscopic posterior cervical inclinatory foraminotomy for cervical radiculopathy: technical report and preliminary results. Neurospine. 2020;17(Suppl 1):S145–S153.
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