Functional Evolution after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy, an Earlier Evaluation of 32 Cases / Evolução funcional após discectomia endoscópica lombar, uma avaliação mais precoce de 32 casos

Abstract Objective To determine time period for hospital discharge and pain and function improvement in patients submitted to percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). Methods Retrospective evaluation of length of stay and visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Roland-Morris questionnaire results in 32 patients undergoing PELD at the preoperative period and at 2 days and 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 postoperative weeks. Results All patients were discharged in less than 6 hours. There was a statistically significant improvement between the results obtained before the procedure and 2 days postsurgery: the mean VAS for axial pain went from 6.63 to 3.31, the VAS for irradiated pain went from 6.66 to 2.75, the Oswestry score went from 44.59 to 33.17%, and the Roland-Morris score went from 14.03 to 10.34. This difference progressively improved up to 12 weeks in all questionnaires. Regarding the Oswestry score, minimum disability values (19.39%) were observed at 6 weeks. Conclusion All 32 patients were discharged within 6 hours. Pain and function improved significantly after 48 hours, with further significant and progressive improvement until the 3rd month.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar o tempo de alta hospitalar e o período de melhora funcional e da dor dos pacientes submetidos a discectomia endoscópica percutânea lombar (DEPL). Métodos Avaliação retrospectiva do tempo de internação e dos questionários escala visual análoga (EVA), índice de incapacidade Oswestry (IIO), e Roland-Morris de 32 pacientes submetidos a DEPL nos períodos pré-operatório e com 2 dias, e 1, 2, 4, 6, e 12 semanas pós-operatórias. Resultados Todos os pacientes receberam alta em menos de 6 horas houve melhora estatística entre o período pré-operatório e 2 dias pós-operatório , sendo o valor médio do questionário EVA axial de 6,63 para 3,31, do EVA irradiado de 6,66 para 2,75, do IIO de 44,59% para 33,17% e do Roland-Morris de 14,03 para 10,34. Tal diferença apresentou melhora progressiva até 12 semanas em todos os questionários. O IIO atingiu valores de incapacidade mínima (19,39%) com 6 semanas de avaliação. Conclusão Todos os 32 pacientes receberam alta hospitalar em até 6 horas. Houve melhora significativa dos sintomas funcionais e de dor já com 48 horas, apresentando ainda melhora adicional significativa e progressiva até o 3º mês.

Radiation Exposure during Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: Interlaminar versus Transforaminal

Objective Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) relies heavily on fluoroscopy guidance; therefore, medical staff exposure to radiation has become an important issue. The purpose of this study was to determine the radiation dose and the amount of time to which the surgeons are exposed during PELD and to compare both parameters in the transforaminal (TF) and interlaminar (IL) approaches. Although they are considerably different, they may be wrongly considered together. Methods A retrospective evaluation of the last 20 PELD performed by the authors is presented. Patients were distributed in 2 groups. Six (1F, 5M) patients were submitted to IL-PELD and 14 (6F, 8M) to TF-PELD. Fluoroscopy reports were obtained from patients' records, all performed with the same C-Arm device and software mode. Groups were compared using unpaired t-test. Results The IL group showed an average radiation exposure of 8.37 4.21 mGy and duration of 11.1 5.45 seconds, while the TF group showed an average radiation exposure of 28.92 7.56 mGy and duration of 42 16.64 seconds. The p-value for radiation was 0.0000036, and for time it was 0.00027. Conclusions Interlaminar PELD requires a lower radiation dose and a shorter amount of exposure than TF-PELD. Studies that concern radiation required for minimallyinvasive spine surgeries should consider the PELD approaches separately.

Experimental model for transforaminal endoscopic spine

Abstract Purpose: To validate the porcine spine as a model for learning and practicing transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar procedures (TF-PELP). Methods: TF-PELP was performed in three porcine cadaver lumbar spine levels. Anatomical features of the current cadaver were compared to human and porcine spines. Performance and documentation of endoscopic procedures were described. Results: This study shows that this representative animal model reflects anatomical characteristics of the human spine. Transforaminal approaches were successfully completed. Although lower disc heights make disc puncture more difficult, the outside-in technique is feasible and more useful to identify anatomical parameters and to practice different surgical steps and maneuvers. Conclusion: This is an effective and representative model for learning and practicing this procedure. Difficulties of the procedure, as well as the differences compared to the human spine, were described.

Experimental model for transforaminal endoscopic spine.

PURPOSE: To validate the porcine spine as a model for learning and practicing transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar procedures (TF-PELP). METHODS: TF-PELP was performed in three porcine cadaver lumbar spine levels. Anatomical features of the current cadaver were compared to human and porcine spines. Performance and documentation of endoscopic procedures were described. RESULTS: This study shows that this representative animal model reflects anatomical characteristics of the human spine. Transforaminal approaches were successfully completed. Although lower disc heights make disc puncture more difficult, the outside-in technique is feasible and more useful to identify anatomical parameters and to practice different surgical steps and maneuvers. CONCLUSION: This is an effective and representative model for learning and practicing this procedure. Difficulties of the procedure, as well as the differences compared to the human spine, were described.