Overview and Prevention of Complications During Biportal Endoscopic Thoracic Spine Surgery

Abstract

Objective: Although the unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique has remarkable advantages, thoracic laminectomy by UBE is technically difficult and can potentially lead to serious complications. By reviewing previous articles on thoracic laminectomy by UBE, we aimed to identify the complications of thoracic laminectomy by UBE and to establish specific surgical strategies to avoid complications.Methods: A literature search was performed using the National Center for Biotechnology Information database using the PubMed/MEDLINE search engine. There are 3 published clinical studies in which at least one of these approaches has been performed.Results: In previous articles, several cases of perioperative complications were observed, including spinal cord injury, hyperalgesia, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, headache or neck pain, insufficient decompression, epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, excessive facet resection, and delayed spinous process fracture.Conclusion: UBE technique has remarkable advantages, but endoscopic thoracic surgery is technically challenging and has the potential to cause serious complications. For avoidable complications, surgeons should be familiar with prevention methods and pitfalls to minimize complications.