Positioning and clinical application of the inflection point of the uncinate process in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF): a retrospective study

Using the IPUP as an intraoperative decompression landmark during ACDF can safely achieve broader spinal cord and nerve root decompression. Vertical decompression confined within the medial borders of the bilateral IPUPs is generally sufficient in most cases. In patients with foraminal stenosis, additional safe neural decompression can be accomplished either by oblique decompression at an 11° lateral deviation from the IPUP or by extending 3 mm laterally at the base of the intervertebral foramen.