Successful ideas have a way of inducing enticing spin-offs. The Foraminotomy Rongeur with its curved shaft for reaching up under the foramen is no exception.

To date, foraminotomy rongeurs have all been up-curved, up-biting. Now, those surgeons who like working a little closer to their own belly button will be pleased to discover Buxton BioMedical offers the foraminotomy rongeur in this new, down-curved, down-biting version. The thelemite surgeon who prefers inverting the instrument so hands are over, rather than under the shaft, will be particularly pleased to know he has been accommodated, as well.

The original model came to widespread popularity following a published report on 300 foraminotomies in SPINE by Dr. Robert A. Beatty. This report stresses the importance of preserving the dorsal processes, facet joints and inter- and supra-spinous ligaments in order to maintain stability and leave sufficient bone stock, should a fusion be eventually needed. Use of alternative instruments including high-speed drills, osteotomes and straight shaft rongeurs passing through the interspinous ligament is awkward and restraining. Curving the shaft of a Kerrison rongeur and angling the footplate forward can enable the spine surgeon to effectively reach up under the foramen without the need to sacrifice important bone structure or traverse the risky route through epidural space.

Talking Back, Vol. 1, No. 2