Spine - Dural Safety in Hybrid Spine Surgery: Managing Pressure During Lumbar UBE and Cervical Laminoplasty

This episode discusses a critical safety consideration for simultaneous hybrid spine procedures. We review "A Protocol to Preserve the Dural Safety Margin During Simultaneous Hybrid Lumbar Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy and Cervical Laminoplasty," published in World Neurosurgery in 2026, based on the provided abstract. The study addresses the potential iatrogenic risk of increased intracranial pressure transmitted to the cervical dura during combined lumbar UBE and cervical laminoplasty, due to saline irrigation. The abstract outlines the rationale for the protocol by hypothesizing this pressure transmission. Understanding this dural safety protocol is crucial for surgeons performing complex, multi-level spine decompressions. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.