what is a subperiosteal dissection
The paraspinal muscles are elevated subperiosteally from the underlying laminae, using a Cobb elevator or electrocautery. Dissection is performed along the posterior bony elements bilaterally. The use of a subperiosteal dissection minimizes bleeding and muscle damage. enlarge During exposure, care is taken not to injure the facet joint capsule of the levels cranial or caudal to the intended fusion, as this might lead to unintended adjacent level joint fusion or degeneration.