Navigation-Assisted Micro-Window Excision of Thoracic Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum (Mishima Surgery) in Professional Baseball Pitchers: A Case Report and Technical Note.

ABSTRACT: Background and Objectives: Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) often causes myelopathy and/or radiculopathy. The disease is frequently observed in East Asian populations. Although thoracic OLF in young athletes who have underwent decompression surgery has been reported, the removal of posterior spinal bony elements and ligamentous complex may often cause postoperative thoracolumbar instability. We established a novel surgical technique that preserves the posterior spinal elements, including the spinous processes, facet joints, and supraspinous and interspinous ligaments for thoracic OLF. This is the first case report to describe a navigation-assisted micro-window excision of thoracic OLF. Case: A 32-year-old male right-handed professional baseball pitcher wit

SUBMITTER: Ishii K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10384264 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature