Foraminoplasty

Foraminoplasty
SpecialtyNeurology

Foraminoplasty is a type of endoscopic surgery used to operate on the spine. The aim is to widen the intervertebral foramen.

It is considered a minimally invasive surgery technique and its endoscopic laser is legally regulated. Although most patients have benefited from foraminoplasty, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence does not fully support it due to it not completing its randomised controlled clinical trial.

References

  1. ↑ Sairyo, Koichi; Chikawa, Takashi; Nagamachi, Akihiro (March 2018). "State-of-the-art transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar surgery under local anesthesia: Discectomy, foraminoplasty, and ventral facetectomy". Journal of Orthopaedic Science. 23 (2): 229–236. doi:10.1016/j.jos.2017.10.015.
  2. ↑ Scuderi, Giles R.; Tria, Alfred J. (2 November 2009). Minimally Invasive Surgery in Orthopedics (PDF) (2010 ed.). Springer. pp. 535–555. ISBN 978-0-387-76607-2.[permanent dead link]
  3. ↑ "Endoscopic laser foraminoplasty / HealthTech guidance". nice.org.uk. 17 December 2003. Archived from the original on February 3, 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026. Quote: "What the studies said There have not been many studies on endoscopic laser foraminoplasty, but in general patients said they had less pain after having the procedure. What the experts said The experts thought there was not enough evidence to be sure the procedure worked."

Further reading