A Technique for Resecting Symptomatic Osteochondromas Using Single-Channel Transforaminal Endoscope

Osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumors, consisting of trabecular bone covered by a cartilage cap. Symptomatic osteochondromas are conventionally treated with open surgical excision. This article introduces a minimally invasive technique using a single-channel transforaminal endoscope to resect osteochondromas. The patient is placed in the supine position. A 2-cm skin incision is made with the aid of a guidewire. A working sleeve is inserted over the guidewire, followed by the insertion of a 30° spinal transforaminal endoscope with a 6.2-mm working channel. Tissue dissection is performed, and a custom-made osteotome is used to excise the osteochondroma from the host bone. The osteochondroma is then removed with forceps. The incisions are closed with interrupted sutures, which are smaller and more cosmetically beneficial. The use of a single-channel transforaminal endoscope for resecting osteochondromas is a reproducible and straightforward minimally invasive technique. This method may be applicable to the treatment of similar musculoskeletal osteochondromas in the future.