Microendoscopic Tailored Spine Decompression as a Less-Invasive, Stability-Preserving Surgical Option to Instrumented Correction in Complex Spine Deformities: A Preliminary Multicenter Experience.

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Abstract

[Indexed for MEDLINE] 18. NMC Case Rep J. 2026 Apr 1;13:135-140. doi: 10.2176/jns-nmc.2025-0401. eCollection 2026. Regression of Lumbar Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum after Indirect Decompression via Full-endoscopic Trans-Kambin's Triangle Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A 3-year Case Report. Nguyen VT(1), Kitahara T(1), Nagao Y(1), Ohshima T(1), Ono N(1), Soeda S(1), Takeuchi M(1), Manabe H(1), Morimoto M(1), Tezuka F(1), Kageyama H(1), Fujitani J(1), Sairyo K(1). Author information: (1)Department of Orthopedics, Tokushima University Graduate School, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan. Ossification of the ligamentum flavum is a pathological condition that can cause progressive myelopathy or severe radiculopathy. Standard surgical management involves direct decompression via posterior resection of the ossification. However, there is a substantial risk of complications, including dural tears and iatrogenic instability. We report a rare case of lumbar ossification of the ligamentum flavum with degenerative spondylolisthesis treated solely by full-endoscopic trans-Kambin's triangle lumbar interbody fusion, aiming for indirect decompression and stabilization, without direct resection of the ossification. A 68-year-old woman had progressive low back pain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and severe neurogenic claudication, limiting ambulation to 100 m. Imaging revealed Meyerding Grade I L4-L5 spondylolisthesis with dynamic instability and significant canal stenosis due to ossification of the ligamentum flavum, measuring 4.06 mm in maximal thickness. She underwent single-level Kambin's triangle lumbar interbody fusion at L4-L5. Postoperatively, rapid improvement was observed (visual analog scale low back pain: 7→1, leg pain: 8→0; Oswestry Disability Index: 52%→10% at 3 years). Follow-up computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated progressive regression of the ossification, from 4.06 mm to 3.2 mm at 1 year and 1.46 mm at 3 years (64.0%). This case suggests that Kambin's triangle lumbar interbody fusion with indirect decompression is an effective surgical option in lumbar ossification of the ligamentum flavum with segmental instability. The remarkable regression of the ossification suggests that spinal stabilization may suppress pathological mechanical stress, shifting bone remodeling toward resorption, and supports a mechanistic hypothesis. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate this pathophysiological mechanism. © 2026 The Japan Neurosurgical Society. DOI: 10.2176/jns-nmc.2025-0401 PMCID: PMC13102528