Bi-needle technique versus transforaminal endoscopic spine system technique for percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in treating intervertebral disc calcification: a propensity score matched cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of a Bi-needle technique and conventional transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS) technique for percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) in treating patients with intervertebral disc calcification (IDC). BACKGROUND: PELD has gained acceptance for treating patients with IDC. The Bi-needle technique was designed to improve the efficiency and safety of PELD. METHOD: Bi-needle and TESSYS group within each cohort were balanced using 1:1 propensity score matching. Finally, 32 patients with IDC treated by Bi-needle technique from December 2015 to September 2017 were enrolled and 25 patients treated by TESSYS technique from the same spine surgery center between January 2013 and October 2017 were enrolled as controls. RESULTS: Propensity score matching generated 22 Bi-needle and 22 TESSYS patients. There were no significant differences in visual analog scale and lumbar Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores between Bi-needle and TESSYS group. Operative time and rate of complications in the Bi-needle was significantly better than the TESSYS group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both surgical methods achieved good clinical outcomes. However, compared with the TESSSY technique, operative time of the Bi-needle technique is shorter, and rate of complications is lower.

Endoscopic Lumbar Disc Surgery Experience with the TESSYS Technique in 253 Case Series.

Background: Herniated lumbar disc (HLD) is a widespread medical problem which can require surgery. Minimally invasive surgical management can represent an extremely valuable option for patients suffering from HLDs. Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy is an alternative to classical microdiscectomy which was proposed more than two decades ago and has evolved technologically with time. Methods: The transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS) technique has been introduced in recent years and offers the advantage of performing a controlled foraminal augmentation with full nerve root protection. We started using this technique in 2016 and prospectively evaluated the results of endoscopic TESSYS-based operations performed in a three-year period until the end of 2019. Selection criteria were very strict, and we included only patients with unilateral radicular pain with no instability who failed conservative therapy. Out of the 253 patients operated on in that time span, 183 were available for follow-up evaluation. Results: After surgery, there was a clinically significant improvement of all symptoms which basically lasted in the long-term follow-up. Complications were limited and generally minor. Redo surgery with microdiscectomy was required only in four cases. Obesity did not play a clear negative role in patients' outcome. Conclusions: Endoscopic transforaminal discectomy with the TESSYS technique represents a valuable management option for patients harbouring unilateral herniated lumbar disc located laterally.

Awake, Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Spine Surgery in Octogenarians: Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Optimal approaches for treating surgical spine pathology in very geriatric patients, such as those over the age of 80, remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To describe outcomes of awake, transforaminal endoscopic surgical treatment for patients 80 years old and older presenting with lumbar radiculopathy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. METHODS: The records of 52 consecutive patients who underwent awake transforaminal lumbar endoscopic decompression surgery performed by a single surgeon at a single institution between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. All included patients were followed for at least one year after surgery. RESULTS: Transforaminal surgeries performed were discectomies (21), foraminotomies (7), redo foraminotomies post-laminectomy (5), fusion explorations (13), facet cyst resections (3), spondylolisthesis decompressions (2), and a decompression for metastatic disease (1). Seven patients (13.5%) required repeat surgery at the treated level during the one-year follow-up. For the remaining 45 patients, at one-year follow-up, preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) for leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI) improved from 6.9 (± 1.4) and 40.5% (± 11.5) to 1.8 (± 1.4) and 12.0% (± 10.8), respectively. The only complication of the procedure was a single durotomy (2%). LIMITATIONS: Single-center, retrospective case review with a relatively small number of cases with diverse clinical pathology. A multi-center case study with a larger number of patients with a more homogeneous case pathology would be more revealing. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic spine surgery offers octogenarians a safe and effective option for the treatment of lumbar degenerative spine disease and may represent a valuable treatment strategy in a growing patient population.

Foraminal Access Strategies in Patients with Lumbar Posterolateral Fusions in Transforaminal Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Case Series and Technical Note.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of post-laminectomy lumbar radiculopathy in the setting of a large posterolateral fusion mass presents an anatomic challenge to the spine interventionalist. OBJECTIVE: To describe outcomes of awake, transforaminal endoscopic surgical treatment for patients presenting with lumbar radiculopathy after instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusions. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: This study took place in a single-center, academic hospital. METHODS: The records of 538 patients who underwent awake transforaminal lumbar endoscopic decompression surgery performed by a single surgeon at a single institution between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Fifteen consecutive patients who required drilling through their posterolateral fusion masses to access the post-fusion foraminal stenosis were included in this study. All included patients were followed for at least one year after surgery. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (7 male and 8 female) with an average age of 68.1 years (range 38-89, standard deviation 13.4 years) underwent awake transforaminal foraminal decompression surgeries that utilized special techniques to drill through large posterolateral fusion masses to access their foraminal stenosis. One patient (7%) required repeat surgery in the postoperative period due to lack of surgical improvement. For the remaining 14 patients, at one year follow up, the preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) for leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI) improved from 7.0 (± 1.7) and 40.7% (± 12.9) to 1.7 (± 1.6) and 12.1% (± 11.3). There were no complications such as infection, durotomy, or neurologic injury. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective case series. CONCLUSION: Transforaminal endoscopic spine surgery offers a unique approach to post-laminectomy and post-fusion foraminal compression because it avoids scar tissue resulting from previous posterior approaches. Large posterolateral fusion masses associated with some posterior fusions can be a sizeable bony barrier to transforaminal access. The authors share their techniques and success for navigating large posterior, bony fusion masses in transforaminal post-fusion foraminal decompression.

Awake, Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression Surgery to Treat L5-S1 Adjacent Segment Disease: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar radiculopathy secondary to L5-S1 degenerative changes adjacent to a lumbar fusion usually requires extending the fusion to include the degenerative L5-S1 level; this revision surgery can often be a very invasive procedure. OBJECTIVE: To describe outcomes of awake, transforaminal endoscopic decompression surgery for patients presenting with lumbar radiculopathy as a result of L5-S1 degenerative disc disease below lumbar fusions. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Awake, endoscopic decompression surgery was performed in 538 patients over a 5-year period from 2014 through 2019 by a single surgeon at a single institution.  The records of 18 consecutive patients who underwent transforaminal lumbar endoscopic decompression surgery to treat radiculopathy secondary to L5-S1 adjacent segment disease were retrospectively reviewed. All included patients were followed for at least 2 years after surgery. All patients were treated at L5-S1 and had fusion constructs that ended at L5. RESULTS: Thirteen men and 5 women patients ranging in age from 38 to 83 (average age of 68.9 ± 11.5) were treated for symptomatic adjacent segment disease at L5-S1 during the 5-year time period. Surgery was successful in all cases, except 2 patients (11%) at 2 years follow-up had recurrent symptomatic pathology at L5-S1 and required additional surgical treatment. The average preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were 7.5(± 1.3) and 45.3 (± 12.3) respectively. The average 2-year postoperative VAS and ODI scores were 2.4 (± 1.5) and 22.5 (± 9.6) respectively, excluding the 2 patients with recurrent pathology. The average body mass index (BMI) and L5-S1 disc height in the 2-year successful group (n = 16) were 30.6 (± 7.4) and 8.7 mm (± 3.5 mm) respectively; the average BMI and L5-S1 disc height in the 2-year failure group (n = 2) were 25.8 (± 5.9) and 7.9 (± 2.6) respectively. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective case series. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic spine surgery offers patients with fusions that terminate at L5 a safe and effective option for treatment of lumbar degenerative spine disease at L5-S1 below their fusion constructs. A longer follow-up and a larger prospective study would be necessary to consider the utility of endoscopic compression versus extending the fusion construct.

Awake transforaminal endoscopic lumbar facet cyst resection: technical note and case series.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe a minimally invasive transforaminal surgical technique for treating awake patients presenting with lumbar radiculopathy and compressive facet cysts. METHODS: Awake transforaminal endoscopic decompression surgery was performed in 645 patients over a 6-year period from 2014 to 2020. Transforaminal endoscopic decompression surgery utilizing a high-speed endoscopic drill was performed in 25 patients who had lumbar facet cysts. All surgeries were performed as outpatient procedures in awake patients. Nine of the 25 patients had previously undergone laminectomies at the treated level. A retrospective chart review of patient-reported outcome measures is presented. RESULTS: At the 2-year follow-up, the mean (± standard deviation) preoperative visual analog scale leg score and Oswestry Disability Index improved from 7.6 ± 1.3 to 2.3 ± 1.4 and 39.7% ± 8.1% to 13.0% ± 7.4%, respectively. There were no complications, readmissions, or recurrence of symptoms during the 2-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: A minimally invasive awake procedure is presented for the treatment of lumbar facet cysts in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Approximately one-third of the treated patients (9 of 25) had postlaminectomy facet cysts.

Endoscopic Spine Surgery of the Cervicothoracic Spine: A Review of Current Applications.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic spine surgery in the cervicothoracic spine is generating continued interest in a rapidly evolving field. The authors present 4 techniques for fully endoscopic cervical spine surgery: (1) posterior cervical unilateral laminectomy and bilateral decompression, (2) posterior cervical foraminotomy, (3) anterior cervical discectomy, and (4) anterior transcorporal discectomy. Two techniques for fully endoscopic thoracic spine surgery are also presented: (1) posterior thoracic unilateral laminectomy and bilateral decompression and (2) transforaminal thoracic endoscopic discectomy and foraminotomy. METHODS: We describe 6 different surgical approaches and review the relevant literature about each technique. RESULTS: The clinical application of endoscopic spine surgery techniques has evolved over the past 40 years. Recent data suggest comparable outcomes to other procedures and perhaps fewer complications and quicker recovery when these techniques are used in the cervical and thoracic spine. Significant variability exists in these approaches depending on the goal of canal decompression, root decompression, and the site of the pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Each endoscopic approach in the cervicothoracic spine has its technical nuances, outcomes, advantages, and disadvantages, making fully endoscopic cervicothoracic spine surgery an exciting and growing field.

Transforaminal Endoscopic Surgical Treatment for Postlaminectomy Lumbar Radiculopathy: Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: To describe outcomes of awake transforaminal endoscopic surgical treatment for patients presenting with lumbar radiculopathy after laminectomy. METHODS: Awake endoscopic decompression surgery was performed on 538 patients over a 5-year period (2014-2019). Transforaminal endoscopic discectomy and foraminotomy was performed in 128 patients who had previously undergone laminectomy surgery. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, preoperative visual analog scale score for leg pain improved from 7.0 ± 1.4 to 2.0 ± 1.3 and Oswestry Disability Index score improved from 41.4% ± 11.9% to 12.4% ± 11.9% in 118 patients. During the 2-year follow-up period, 10 patients (7.8%) required repeat surgery at the treated level. CONCLUSIONS: The results of a minimally invasive awake endoscopic procedure are presented for the treatment of lumbar radiculopathy after lumbar laminectomy in a series of patients.

Transforaminal Endoscopic Surgical Treatment for Posterior Migration of Polyetheretherketone Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Cage: Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to report the clinical outcome of treating lumbar radiculopathy in the setting of retropulsed polyetheretherketone (PEEK) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) cages with transforaminal endoscopic spine surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study of 8 patients with lumbar radiculopathy in the setting of a retropulsed PEEK TLIF cage were included from January 2014 to January 2019. The inclusion criteria were 1) lumbar radiculopathy in the setting of a retropulsed PEEK TLIF cage causing nerve compression and 2) follow-up at least 1 year. Patients were asked to complete the following questionnaires for outcome evaluation: visual analog scales (VAS) for leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). RESULTS: Eight patients underwent transforaminal endoscopic surgery for treatment of radiculopathy in the setting of a retropulsed PEEK TLIF cage in the 5-year period evaluated. One year after surgery, the VAS and ODI scores showed a significant decrease: average preoperative VAS and ODI scores were 6.9 ± 1.2 and 50.5 ± 10.9, and 1-year postoperative VAS and ODI scores were 2.3 ± 1.3 and 17.3 ± 5.1. CONCLUSIONS: Transforaminal endoscopic spine surgery for the treatment of a retropulsed PEEK TLIF cage is a safe and effective approach with low morbidity and acceptable complication rates for patients with radiculopathy secondary to a retropulsed PEEK TLIF cage. Compared with a more invasive approach to removing or drilling the PEEK TLIF cage, endoscopic spine surgery could achieve a similar improvement in the patient-reported outcomes with possibly fewer complications.

Clinical efficacy of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic TESSYS technique in the treatment of senile lumbar spinal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic TESSYS technique in the treatment of senile lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS: 157 senile with lumbar spinal stenosis were prospectively recruited at this study. The subjects in the experimental group received TESSYS operation, and the control group received traditional open surgery for posterior lumbar interbody fusion. The clinical pain relief, indexes of perioperative period, dysfunction of the lumbar spine and clinical effect of the two groups were measured. RESULTS: The operation time of experimental group was (53.32±10.27) min, average blood loss in operation was (50.01±5.74) ml, and length of hospitalization was (6.73±3.21) d, which were all better than the control group (97.46±13.47) min, (172.23±8.61) ml, (13.94±2.15) d, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The VAS scores at one day, one week, 1 month and 3 months were significantly lower than those before operation (P < 0.05). The VAS scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those of the open surgery group (P < 0.05). ODI scores of patients were significantly lower than those before operation (P < 0.05). The MACNAB scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those of the open surgery group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transforaminal TESSYS technique is a safe and minimally invasive technique for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis in the elderly. Compared with traditional open surgery for posterior lumbar interbody fusion, percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic TESSYS technique has less trauma and does not damage the stability of the spine. It can significantly shorten the hospitalization and operation time, reduce intraoperative fluoroscopy and blood loss, reduce the degree of pain and postoperative complications, and quickly restore daily life function. and thus an effective and more advantageous scheme for the treatment of elderly lumbar spinal stenosis.

Clinical effect of TESSYS technique under spinal endoscopy combined with drug therapy in patients with lumbar disc herniation and its effect on quality of life and serum inflammatory factors: results of a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out based on the background that lumbar disc herniation seriously affects patients' quality of life but its clinical treatment effect remains unsatisfactory. METHODS: In total, 140 patients with lumbar disc herniation are randomly divided into a single operation group (SO) and a combined treatment group (CT). Among them, patients in the SO group received single treatment of TESSYS technique under spinal endoscopy, while patients in the CT group received combined drug therapy including coenzyme A, adenosine triphosphate, 10% glucose injection, 10% potassium chloride, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, dexamethasone, 20% mannitol and traditional Chinese medicine on the basis of the SO group. The clinical effect, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), recurrence rate, levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and quality of life score were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The treatment effectiveness rate of the CT group was markedly better than that in the SO group (P<0.01). At 3- and 6-month postoperatively, the JOA scores, VAS scores, World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in the CT group were significantly better than those in the SO group (P<0.05). During the 6-12-month follow-up, the recurrence rate and WHOQOL-BREF scores in the SO group and CT group was no statistical difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TESSYS technique under spinal endoscopy combined with drug therapy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation has a significant clinical effect. Therefore, it is worthy of clinical popularization. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100049153.

Application of continuous epidural anesthesia in transforaminal lumbar endoscopic surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare intraoperative lower back pain and leg pain, surgical time, and intraoperative X-ray dose in patients offered local infiltration anesthesia or continuous epidural anesthesia for transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS) surgery. METHODS: A total of 98 patients who received TESSYS treatment for single-segmental lumbar disc herniation were included, and were randomly divided into two groups: group A (49 cases; local infiltration anesthesia) and group B (49 cases; continuous epidural anesthesia). Surgical duration, intraoperative X-ray dose, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores of lower back pain and leg pain before surgery, during surgery, and 48 h after surgery were recorded and compared. RESULTS: After surgery, the VAS scores of both lower back pain and leg pain decreased in group A, and similar findings were found in group B. Group B had a shorter surgical duration, lower intraoperative X-ray dose, and lower intraoperative VAS scores of lower back pain and leg pain compared with group A. CONCLUSION: Compared with local infiltration anesthesia, continuous epidural anesthesia was more effective for pain relief during TESSYS for single-segmental lumbar disc herniation, and also contributed to a shorter surgical duration and lower X-ray exposure.

[Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic TESSYS technique for the treatment of bilateral lumbar disc herniation in single segment].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early clinical effects of transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS) for the treatment of bilateral lumbar disc herniation in single segment. METHODS: The clinical data of 38 patients with single-segment bilateral lumbar disc herniation treated by TESSYS technique from February 2016 to February 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 26 males and 12 females, aged from 30 to 55 years old with an average of(35.2±6.4) years, 6 cases of L3,4, 22 cases of L4,5, and 10 cases of L5S11. Using the intervertebral foramen endoscope produced by Joimax GmbH, Germany, under local anesthesia, bilateral puncture to the outside of the intervertebral foramen of the diseased segment, four-stage dilatation catheter to complete the progressive enlargement of the intervertebral foramen, and the ring saw progressively enlarge the intervertebral foramen. The bilateral foramen was placed and the herniated nucleus was removed until the nerve root was completely released. Postoperatively, the patients were reviewed on regular outpatient visits and telephone follow-ups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were compared before operation and after operation at 1, 3, 6, 12 months respectively. At the final follow-up, according to modified MacNab criteria to evaluate the clinical effect. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients underwent successful surgery and were followed up for more than 12 months. The ODI score and VAS score of the lower extremities pain at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation were obviously improved (P<0.05), there was significant difference between 1, 3 months and 6, 12 months after operation(P<0.05), there was no significant difference between 1 and 3 months, between 6 and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). At the final follow-up, according to MacNab criteria, 14 cases got excellent results, 16 good, 4 fair, 2 poor. CONCLUSIONS: Using TESSYS technique to remove the bilateral herniated nucleus from single segment can fully decompress for the nerve root, and can be effectively applied to patients with single-segment bilateral lumbar disc herniation.

Lumbar disc reherniation after transforaminal lumbar endoscopic discectomy.

BACKGROUND: Transforaminal lumbar endoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can be performed in awake patients through an incision less than 1 cm. The procedure requires very little bony removal to access the herniated disc material because the approach is through the foramen, and only a small amount of the superior articulating process is removed to access Kambin's triangle. This study describes our experience with transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression (TELD) for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. We evaluate the risk for reherniation in the first year after surgery and the characteristics of the patients who experience reherniation. METHODS: We describe the technique for the transforaminal endoscopic approach to treat lumbar disc herniations. Retrospectively, a series of 141 consecutive patients, who were operated on with lumbar radiculopathy, was analyzed. We excluded patients who had previous surgery at the lumbar level, surgeries done for disease adjacent to a fusion, and surgeries done for spondylolisthesis. A total of 84 consecutive patients were included who had single level lumbar non-revision surgery and at least 1-year follow up. RESULTS: A series of 46 consecutive male and 38 female patients with an average age of 57.4 years (range, 28-87 years old) who underwent transforaminal endoscopic treatment for lumbar disc herniations between 2014 and 2016 is presented. Four patients required microdiscectomy due to reherniation at 5 months, 8 months, 9 months, and 10 months postoperatively. All the patients in the series improved immediately following their endoscopic procedures, and no patients presented with symptoms suggestive of reherniation until 5 months after their initial endoscopic surgery. Patients with reherniation tended to be young: 31, 45, 48, and 49 years of age: all less than the average patient age who underwent endoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Transforaminal endoscopic surgical access to lumbar disc herniations is an ultra-minimally invasive approach for the treatment lumbar degenerative disc disease. It allows for neural decompression by removing disc and foraminal pathology with minimal bone removal. This minimal bone removal prevents iatrogenic destabilization. However, the 1-year reherniation rate presented here is 4.7%. This suggests that the benefit of this technique may be that it is ultra-minimally invasive, but it may only be equal, not superior to microdiscectomy in its rate of reherniation.

The modified transforaminal endoscopic technique in treating intracanalicular combining foraminal and/or extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations.

BACKGROUND: To develop a modified transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS®) technique for treating intracanalicular combining foraminal and/or extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation (ICFE-LDH), and evaluate the technical efficacy and safety. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with ICFE-LDH underwent the modified TESSYS technique were enrolled. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to verify the reduction of herniated disc. Pre- and post-operative neurological functions were compared by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the modified MacNab criteria. The technical safety was evaluated by surgical complications. RESULTS: MRI demonstrated reductions of disc herniations in 22 patients (95.7%) after surgeries. The VAS scores were significantly improved at 1 year follow-up (low back: P=0.001, lower limbs: P<0.001), as well as ODI scores (P<0.001). 22 patients had achieved excellent and good recovery postoperatively according to the modified MacNab criteria. One patient (4.3%) underwent a reoperation due to postoperative recurrence of disc herniation. Another patient complained postoperative causalgia in 8 weeks, the symptom alleviated after conservative treatment at 1 year follow-up (VAS: back, 3, lower limbs, 0; ODI: 20%). The incidence rate of surgical complication was 8.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The modified TESSYS technique is a minimally-invasive, effective and safe surgery for treating ICFE-LDHs in selected patients.

Curative Effect of Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Spine System in the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation Complicated with Nerve Root Canal Stenosis / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic spine system （TESSYS） in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation （LDH） complicated with nerve root canal stenosis. MethodsA retrospective study was done on 40 LDH patients complicated with nerve root canal stenosis who underwent TESSYS in our hospital from April 2019 to April 2021. The clinical efficacy of the patients was evaluated by the modified Mac Nab criteria 12 months after the surgery. We also measured and analyzed the scores of visual analogue scale （VAS）， Oswestry disability index （ODI） and Japanese orthopaedic association （JOA）， the changes of structural parameters of lumbar spine and inflammatory factor levels preoperatively， 6 and 12 months after the surgery. ResultsAll the 40 cases successfully underwent the surgery and follow-ups， with a 12-month post-operative clinical excellent and good rate of 90%. The preoperative， 6-month and 12-month post-operative VAS scores were （7.38±2.06）， （2.36±0.87） and （1.62±0.82）， respectively. The respective ODI scores were （55.54±11.19）， （26.52±7.61） and （18.14±4.36）； JOA scores （13.93±2.10）， （20.26±1.35） and （22.34±1.88）. The post-operative scores of VAS， ODI and JOA were significantly improved compared with those before the surgery （P<0.05）. The preoperative and post-operative lumbosacral angles were （37.23±6.84）° and （27.37±4.31）°， respectively， with the respective lumbar curvatures of （13.48±3.06） mm and （22.36±4.51） mm. The post-operative lumbosacral angle and lumbar curvature were significantly improved compared with those before the surgery （P<0.05）. The preoperative and post-operative high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP） levels were （3.43±0.61） mg/L and （5.18±0.70） mg/L， respectively， with the respective tumor necrosis factor alpha （TNF-α） levels of （1.44±0.27） mg/L and （2.07±0.44） mg/L. The post-operative levels of hs-CRP and TNF-α were significantly higher than those before the surgery （P<0.05）. ConclusionIn the treatment of LDH complicated with nerve root canal stenosis， TESSYS achieves a good clinical effect， improves the structure and function of the lumbar spine， reduces the degree of lumbar spine pain， and has a mild post-operative inflammatory reaction.

Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy compared with microendoscopic discectomy for lumbar disc herniation: 1-year results of an ongoing randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to clarify whether percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) results in better clinical outcomes and less surgical trauma than microendoscopic discectomy (MED). METHODS In this single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial, patients were included if they had persistent signs and symptoms of radiculopathy with corresponding imaging-confirmed lumbar disc herniation. Patients were randomly allocated to the PTED or the MED group by computer-generated randomization codes. The primary outcome was the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score 1 year after surgery. Secondary outcomes included scores of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey bodily pain and physical function scales, EuroQol Group's EQ-5D , and the visual analog scales for back pain and leg pain. Data including duration of operation, in-bed time, length of hospital stay, surgical cost and total hospital cost, complications, and reoperations were recorded. RESULTS A total of 153 participants were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups (PTED vs MED), and 89.5% (137 patients) completed 1 year of follow-up. Primary and secondary outcomes did not differ significantly between the treatment groups at each prespecified follow-up point (p > 0.05). For PTED, there was less postoperative improvement in ODI score in the median herniation subgroup at 1 week (p = 0.027), 3 months (p = 0.013), 6 months (p = 0.027), and 1 year (p = 0.028) compared with the paramedian subgroup. For MED, there was significantly less improvement in ODI score at 3 months (p = 0.008), 6 months (p = 0.028), and 1 year (p = 0.028) in the far-lateral herniation subgroup compared with the paramedian subgroup. The total complication rate over the course of 1 year was 13.75% in the PTED group and 16.44% in the MED group (p = 0.642). Five patients (6.25%) in the PTED group and 3 patients (4.11%) in the MED group suffered from residue/recurrence of herniation, for which reoperation was required. CONCLUSIONS Over the 1-year follow-up period, PTED did not show superior clinical outcomes and did not seem to be a safer procedure for patients with lumbar disc herniation compared with MED. PTED had inferior results for median disc herniation, whereas MED did not seem to be the best treatment option for far-lateral disc herniation. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT01997086 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Clinical success of transforaminal endoscopic discectomy with foraminotomy: a retrospective evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Transforaminal endoscopic surgery has evolved from an intradiscal procedure to a true foraminal epidural procedure where both a targeted discectomy and foraminal decompression can be performed. The success of transforaminal decompression for radiculopathy using preoperative selective nerve root block as part of a treatment algorithm for single level and multilevel lumbar disc herniations is described here. METHODS: After Institutional Review Board Approval, charts from 195 patients with complaints of lower back and radicular pain who received one or more endoscopic discectomy procedures were reviewed. Visual Analog Scale was applied to each patient preoperatively and 6 months after the procedure. RESULTS: Patients with multi-level pathologies receiving one procedure have an average relief of 69.7% attributed to correct diagnosis of the inflicting level as opposed to 83.9% improvement in patients with a single level herniation. CONCLUSION: Patients with single level lumbar herniations receiving one endoscopic discectomy have excellent outcomes, but with a good response to a selective nerve root block as a preoperative adjunct, patients with multilevel disc herniations also have significant benefit from single level endoscopic discectomy.

Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic TESSYS technique for the treatment of bilateral lumbar disc herniation in single segment / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the early clinical effects of transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS) for the treatment of bilateral lumbar disc herniation in single segment.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 38 patients with single-segment bilateral lumbar disc herniation treated by TESSYS technique from February 2016 to February 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 26 males and 12 females, aged from 30 to 55 years old with an average of(35.2±6.4) years, 6 cases of L₃,₄, 22 cases of L₄,₅, and 10 cases of L₅S₁1. Using the intervertebral foramen endoscope produced by Joimax GmbH, Germany, under local anesthesia, bilateral puncture to the outside of the intervertebral foramen of the diseased segment, four-stage dilatation catheter to complete the progressive enlargement of the intervertebral foramen, and the ring saw progressively enlarge the intervertebral foramen. The bilateral foramen was placed and the herniated nucleus was removed until the nerve root was completely released. Postoperatively, the patients were reviewed on regular outpatient visits and telephone follow-ups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were compared before operation and after operation at 1, 3, 6, 12 months respectively. At the final follow-up, according to modified MacNab criteria to evaluate the clinical effect.@*RESULTS@#Thirty-six patients underwent successful surgery and were followed up for more than 12 months. The ODI score and VAS score of the lower extremities pain at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation were obviously improved (0.05). At the final follow-up, according to MacNab criteria, 14 cases got excellent results, 16 good, 4 fair, 2 poor.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Using TESSYS technique to remove the bilateral herniated nucleus from single segment can fully decompress for the nerve root, and can be effectively applied to patients with single-segment bilateral lumbar disc herniation.

Therapeutic Effect of TESSYS Technique of Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy Combined with Oral Use of Chinese Medicine for Lumbar Disc Herniation / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of the TESSYS (transforaminal endoscopic spine system) technique of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy combined with oral use of Chinese medicine for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.Methods Thirty-nine patients with lumbar disc herniation were treated by the TESSYS technique of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy,and then received oral use of modified herbal medicine Xubi Recipe,a formula mainly having the actions of tonifying kidney and strengthening governor vessel for 4 weeks after the operation.The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) and modified MacNab criteria were employed to assessed the surgical outcomes before the operation,and 3 and 6 months after the operation.Results (1) All of the 39 cases completed the operation successfully,and were followed up for 6-12 months after the operation.(2) Three and 6 months after the operation,the VAS scores and ODI scores were obviously lower than those before the operation,and the differences were significant (P ＜ 0.05).(3) Six months after the operation,the excellent rate of clinical efficacy assessed by modified MacNab criteria was 89.74％.(4) Only 4 cases had severer transient pain and numbness in the affected limbs,and there was no occurrence of complications of permanent neural root trauma,dural tear,vascular injury,intestinal damage,spondylodiscitis or retroperitoneal hematoma.Conclusion The TESSYS technique of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy combined with oral use of Chinese medicine is effective for the treatment of the lumbar disc herniation with the advantages of satisfactory short-term effect,less bleeding,less trauma,faster recovery and less complications.