The clinical efficacy of biportal endoscopy is comparable to that of uniportal endoscopy via the interlaminar approach for the treatment of L5/S1 lumbar disc herniation.

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of unilateral biportal endoscopy/biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (UBE/BESS) via the posterior approach with those of interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy (IELD) for the treatment of L5/S1 lumbar disc herniation. Methods: We collected the clinical data of patients with L5/S1 lumbar disc herniation who had undergone endoscopic surgery at our center from January 2020 to July 2021, and 92 patients were included. They were divided into UBE/BESS (n = 42) and IELD (n = 50) groups. The incision length, operative time (overall operative, extracanal operative, and intracanal decompression times), intraoperative radiation exposure dose, changes in hemoglobin before and after surgery, postoperative hospital stay, visual analog scale (VAS) score for low back pain and leg, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were statistically analyzed. Results: One case incurred dural tear in the UBE/BESS group, and one case developed recurrence in the IELD group. Postoperatively, the VAS score and ODI index decreased significantly in both groups (P < 0.01). VAS and ODI scores (preoperative as well as 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery), the overall operative time, and postoperative hospital stay were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). No statistical difference in intraoperative radiation exposure dose was noted between the two groups (P > 0.05). The surgical incision length was greater in the UBE/BESS group (P < 0.01), and pre- and postoperative hemoglobin changes were more pronounced in the UBE/BESS group (P < 0.01). The UBE/BESS group had a longer extracanal operative time and shorter intracanal decompression time (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The clinical efficacy of UBE/BESS for L5/S1 lumbar disc herniation is comparable to that of IELD. Intraoperative radiation exposure doses were similar in both techniques. UBE/BESS required more time to identify tissue structures and a larger working space when operating outside the spinal canal; however, the efficiency of nucleus pulposus removal and nerve root release inside the spinal canal superseded that in IELD. Furthermore, the surgical incision in the UBE/BESS technique was longer, with greater actual blood loss during surgery, thus rendering UBE/BESS inferior to the IELD technique in terms of surgical trauma. Nonetheless, no significant difference was noted between the two techniques in the postoperative recovery time of patients.

A modified trajectory of kyphoplasty via superior pedicle notch for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: Technique note and clinical result.

Background: Percutaneous extra-pedicular kyphoplasty can achieve better clinical results than transpedicular kyphoplasty. However, lumbar segment artery injury as a disaster complication limits its clinical application. Objective: To describe and evaluate a modified trajectory of kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF). Methods: Eighty-one patients who underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for lumbar OVCF at our hospital between May 2017 and May 2021 were enrolled. The patients were divided into an observation group (via the superior pedicle approach) and a control group (via the transpedicular approach) according to the surgical trajectory. The surgical procedure was described in detail, and the imaging parameters were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative clinical data were collected for statistical analysis. Results: PKP via the superior pedicle notch approach could offer large abduction and cranial inclination angles without serious complications. The rate of paravertebral leakage was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group. Surgery with a superior pedicle notch approach had a shorter operative time and fewer fluoroscopies. Conclusions: PKP via the superior pedicle notch approach is a modified extra-pedicular approach for lumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. This trajectory is an easy-to-use target position because it enters the vertebral body directly. A shorter operative time and lower radiation exposure can enhance recovery after surgery.

[Comparison of effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy technique and the interlaminar uniportal endoscop technique for treatment of L 5, S 1 lumbar disc herniation].

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique with the interlaminar uniportal endoscopy (IUE) technique for the treatment of L 5, S 1 lumbar disc herniation. Methods: The clinical data of 69 patients with L 5, S 1 lumbar disc herniation who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and December 2020 were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into UBE group (30 cases) and IUE group (39 cases) according to endoscopic surgical technique. The general data, such as gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of low back/leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI), was not significantly different between the two groups ( P>0.05). Perioperative outcomes [estimated blood loss (EBL), total operation time, extracanal operation time, intracanal decompression time, intraoperative radiation exposure dose, incision length, operative related complications, and postoperative hospitalization stay] and clinical outcomes (VAS score of low back/leg pain before operation and at 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation as well as the ODI before operation and at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation) were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: All patients completed the surgery successfully. The incision length, EBL, and extracanal operation time in UBE group were significantly longer than those in IUE group ( P<0.05), and the intracanal decompression time in UBE group was significantly shorter than that in IUE group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total operation time, intraoperative radiation exposure dose, and postoperative hospitalization stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 12-15 months (mean, 13.3 months). Dural tear ocurred in 1 patient of the UBE group, and recurrence ocurred in 1 patient of the IUE group, the others of both groups had no surgery-related complications and recovered well after operation. The VAS scores of low back/leg pain and ODI in both groups at each time point after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in VAS scores and ODI at each time point after operation between two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion: The effectiveness of UBE technique in the treatment of L 5, S 1 lumbar disc herniation is similar to that of IUE technique, and the efficiency of intraspinal operation is better than that of IUE technique. Although UBE technique is inferior to IUE technique in terms of surgical trauma, there is no significant difference in postoperative recovery between the two techniques.

A Novel Trajectory for a Transpedicular Approach in the Treatment of a Highly Downward-Migrated Lumbar Herniation with a Full Endoscopic Technique.

Background: To evaluate the clinical outcome of full endoscopic discectomy using a novel trajectory via a transpedicular approach. Method: Thirty-five patients were enrolled in this retrospective study between July 2014 and October 2019 in the Beijing Haidian Hospital. All patients were treated with full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy via a transpedicular approach with an oblique trajectory. The imaging parameters, including pedicle height and angle of trajectory, were recorded. The preoperative and postoperative clinical data were collected for statistical analysis. Results: All patients underwent successful surgery without severe complications. We compared the visual analogue scale and Oswestry disability index scores before and after surgery. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). According to the modified Macnab criteria, the good-to-excellent rate was 85.7% at the last follow-up. The average angles of trajectory in the sagittal and coronal planes were 34.5° ± 2.9° and 47.1° ± 5.0°, respectively. Conclusion: The new trajectory of the transpedicular approach with a full endoscopic technique for an extremely downward-migrated disc herniation showed excellent results in a small sample study. A precise surgical plan is required, comprising measurements of the pedicle height and angle of the bone tunnel.

Prognosis Evaluation of MRI Combined with Magnetic Resonance Myelography on Lumbar Disc Herniation after Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study sets out to investigate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with magnetic resonance myelography (MRM) in patients after percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) and to evaluate its value in postoperative rehabilitation. METHODS: The clinical date of 96 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) after PTED was retrospectively analyzed. The enrolled patients were divided into MRI group (n = 32) and MRI + MRM group (n = 64) according to whether MRM was performed. The nerve root sleeve (morphology, deformation) and dural indentation, intervertebral space height (ISH), intervertebral space angle (ISA), degree of pain (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)), vertebral function (Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA)), and long-term recurrence were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the MRI group, the MRI + MRM group better displayed nerve root morphology, sheath sleeve deformation, and dural indentation. Both MRI and MRI + MRM showed ISH and ISA changes well. Compared with the MRI group, the MRI + MRM group had a significantly lower VAS score for lumbar and leg pain, a significantly higher JOA score, and a significantly lower 2-year recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: MRM combined with MRI is more beneficial to improve the prognosis of LDH patients after PTED.

Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy with versus without Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) is an effective treatment for patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with failure of conservative treatment. However, defects in the annulus fibrosus after TELD usually lead to a recurrence of LDH. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection has shown promising potential for the repair of injured tissues. The combination of TELD and PRP injection has rarely been reported. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, disc remodeling, and recurrence rate of LDH in TELD with or without PRP in LDH treatment. Methods: A total of 108 consecutive patients who underwent TELD were prospectively registered between July 2018 and December 2019 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/ChiCTR1800017228). Fifty-one and fifty-seven patients underwent TELD with PRP injections and TELD only, respectively. The visual analog scale (VAS) score for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and MacNab criteria were evaluated, and perioperative complications were documented. The disc protrusion, spinal cross-sectional area (SCSA), and disc height were measured on MRI and evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at regular follow-up. Results: All patients were followed up. Clinical improvement was noted in both groups. There were statistical differences in the VAS scores of back and leg pain and ODI between the two groups at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year follow-up (P < 0.05); the improvement in the PRP group was significant. The disc protrusion and SCSA on MRI in the PRP group showed better improvement, with lower recurrence rate, than that in the control group at the final follow-up (P < 0.05). No adverse events were reported in our study following PRP injection. Conclusion: Our study showed that TELD with PRP injection was a safe and effective treatment for patients with LDH in the medium and long-term follow-up. PRP injection was beneficial for disc remodeling after endoscopic discectomy and decreased the recurrence of LDH.

[Surgical outcome of percutaneous endoscopic technique for highly migrated disc herniation via three different approaches].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effects of percutaneous endoscopic technique via three different approaches for highly migrated lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: The clinical data of 68 patients underwent percutaneous endoscopic technique from June 2011 to June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 43 males and 25 females, aged from 11 to 77 years old with an average of (42.29±15.92) years. The patients were divided into three groups according to different operative approaches, of them, 45 cases were by transforaminal approach (group A), 15 cases by translaminar approach (group B), and 8 cases by transpedicular approach (group C). There was 1 case in level L2,3, 12 cases in L3,4, 36 cases in L4,5, 19 cases in L5S1. The herniated disc was migrated superiorly in 23 patients, inferiorly in 45 patients. MRI were available to confirm migrated disc pre-and post-operatively. Operation time, loss blood volume, intraoperative and postoperative complications, time of back to work (postoperative recovery time) were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative VAS were used to evaluate low back pain and sciatica and JOA and MacNab criteria were used to evaluate functional recovery. RESULTS: All the operations were successful and all the patients were followed up from 12 to 40 months with an average of (18.0±15.9) months. Seven patients(3 cases in group A, 3 cases in group B, 1 case in group C) complicated with transient paraesthesia (hyperalgesia or hypesthesia), and the symptoms relieved after symptomatic treatment with neurotrophic medicine, at final follow-up, no symptoms were left. One case in group B complicated with dura mater tearing during operation and it was untreated, there was no resulted complications such as headache and sinus tract of skin. In group A, B, C, the mean VAS score of sciatica improved from preoperative 6.93±1.34, 6.33±1.23, 6.13±1.73 to 0.80±0.87, 0.73±0.70, 0.38±0.52 at final follow-up; and JOA score improved from preoperative 9.09±2.62, 9.80±2.31, 10.50±2.93 to 26.82±1.53, 25.93±1.58, 26.50±1.51 at final follow-up, respectively(P<0.05). There was no significant difference among three groups(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in loss blood volume, postoperative recovery time among three groups. But operation time of group B was shorter than other two groups. According to MacNab criterion to assess the clinical effects, 42 cases got excellent results, 21 good, 5 fair. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous endoscopic technique is a safe and effective method for surgical treatment of highly migrated herniation. The decision of operative approach should be made by characters of anatomy. By tanspedicular approach the lesion could be found directly. However, it depends on good skill and equipment.