Chunpeng Ren1, Yin Li1, Rujie Qin2, Penghao Sun1, Peng Wang1. 1. Department of Orthopedics, Lianyungang No.1 People's Hospital, Xuzhou Academy of Medical Sciences, Lianyungang, China. 2. Department of Orthopedics, Lianyungang No.1 People's Hospital, Xuzhou Academy of Medical Sciences, Lianyungang, China. Electronic address: qrjlyg@163.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD), a minimally invasive spinal technique, has advantages over open discectomy. Unilateral TELD for disc herniation causing bilateral symptoms is challenging. In this study, we describe a percutaneous endoscopic herniotomy technique by using a unilateral approach for lumbar disc herniation with bilateral obvious symptoms. METHODS: From June 2014 to October 2015, 26 patients who had back as well as bilateral leg pain and/or weakness due to lumbar disc herniation were treated by TELD with a unilateral approach. Clinical outcomes were evaluated via a visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-10), and functional status was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (0-100%) postoperatively and 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Surgical satisfaction rate was assessed during the final follow-up. RESULTS: The mean VAS for leg pain on the operative side improved from preoperative 8.39 ± 1.84 to 2.18 ± 1.26 postoperatively, 1.96 ± 0.83 at 3 months postoperatively, and 2.05 ± 1.42 at 1 year postoperatively (P < 0.01). The mean VAS for leg pain on the contralateral was 7.12 ± 1.74 and improved to 1.57 ± 1.66 postoperatively, 1.22 ± 1.58 at 3 months postoperatively, and 1.15 ± 1.35 at 1 year postoperatively (P < 0.01). The mean preoperative Oswestry Disability was 83.63 ± 8.49, with 23.58 ± 7.24 at 1 week postoperatively, 19.81 ± 11.26 at 3 months postoperatively, and 17.54 ± 13.40 at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.01). Good or excellent global results were obtained in 96.2% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: TELD can be effective for lumbar disc herniation causing bilateral symptoms, through one working channel.
BACKGROUND: Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD), a minimally invasive spinal technique, has advantages over open discectomy. Unilateral TELD for disc herniation causing bilateral symptoms is challenging. In this study, we describe a percutaneous endoscopic herniotomy technique by using a unilateral approach for lumbar disc herniation with bilateral obvious symptoms. METHODS: From June 2014 to October 2015, 26 patients who had back as well as bilateral leg pain and/or weakness due to lumbar disc herniation were treated by TELD with a unilateral approach. Clinical outcomes were evaluated via a visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-10), and functional status was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (0-100%) postoperatively and 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Surgical satisfaction rate was assessed during the final follow-up. RESULTS: The mean VAS for leg pain on the operative side improved from preoperative 8.39 ± 1.84 to 2.18 ± 1.26 postoperatively, 1.96 ± 0.83 at 3 months postoperatively, and 2.05 ± 1.42 at 1 year postoperatively (P < 0.01). The mean VAS for leg pain on the contralateral was 7.12 ± 1.74 and improved to 1.57 ± 1.66 postoperatively, 1.22 ± 1.58 at 3 months postoperatively, and 1.15 ± 1.35 at 1 year postoperatively (P < 0.01). The mean preoperative Oswestry Disability was 83.63 ± 8.49, with 23.58 ± 7.24 at 1 week postoperatively, 19.81 ± 11.26 at 3 months postoperatively, and 17.54 ± 13.40 at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.01). Good or excellent global results were obtained in 96.2% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: TELD can be effective for lumbar disc herniation causing bilateral symptoms, through one working channel.