Surgical intervention is typically recommended for thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (TOLF). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel non-coaxial one-hole split endoscope (OSE) technique for treating TOLF. We performed OSE procedure on 13 patients with TOLF from June 2022 to July 2023. The mean operative time was 117.5 ± 15.4 min. VAS scores for lower limbs decreased from 6.5 ± 0.8 preoperative to 1.6 ± 0.4 at the last follow-up (P < 0.001). ODI scores improved from 62.4 ± 5.7 preoperative to 18.6 ± 2.2 at the last follow-up (P < 0.001), and mJOA scores increased from 5.1 ± 1.6 preoperative to 8.4 ± 1.5 at the latest follow-up (P < 0.001). All patients achieved ASIA scale grade D or E at the final follow-up, except for two patients remained residual limb numbness. None of the thirteen patients suffered from severe perioperative complications. The OSE technique proves to be a safe and effective procedure for treating TOLF or even with dura mater ossification, characterized by minimal surgical trauma, relatively smooth learning curve and flexible operation.
© 2024. The Author(s).