Zhaoyu Ba1, Zhiqiang Li2, Zhonghan Liu1, Haoxi Li1, Desheng Wu3, Jianguang Zhu4. 1. Dept. of Spine Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Rd., Shanghai 200120, China. 2. Dept. of Gushang, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai Chinese Traditional Medicine University, 528 Zhangheng Rd., Shanghai 201210, China. 3. Dept. of Spine Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Rd., Shanghai 200120, China. Electronic address: eastspinesci@163.com. 4. Dept. of Spine Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Rd., Shanghai 200120, China. Electronic address: neverbedoc@icloud.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a modified technique usied for foraminoplasty in percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal procedure. METHODS: 58 patients (20 males and 38 females, average age 52.5 years) underwent percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal procedure by using our modified technique. Under the guidance of C-arm fluoroscopy, a kirschner wire was inserted into targeted superior articular process. After expanding the soft tissues, a trepan with the largest diameter was located through the kirschner wire and the angle of trepan was flexible enough to adjust to different operative conditions. This technique could help to avoided using step-by-step larger diameters of trepans without slippage during foraminoplasty. RESULTS: With our modified technique, the mean operation time was 65 min (range 50-80 min) and mean estimated blood loss was 12 ml (range 10-30 ml). Fluoroscopy was less (the mean duration of fluoroscopy was 20.4 ± 9.2 s and the mean radiation dose was 0.9 ± 0.2 mSv) and no complications occurred. All foraminoplasties were excellent via CT scans after surgery and all patients were discharged on 2nd day after operation. The results of 58 patients with an average follow-up of 18 (6-36) months demonstrated our eccentric technique to be effective. CONCLUSION: Our eccentric technique could help to avoid step-by-step larger diameters of trepans during foraminoplasty to shorten operation time and reduced the number of fluoroscopy intraoperative.
OBJECTIVE: To describe a modified technique usied for foraminoplasty in percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal procedure. METHODS: 58 patients (20 males and 38 females, average age 52.5 years) underwent percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal procedure by using our modified technique. Under the guidance of C-arm fluoroscopy, a kirschner wire was inserted into targeted superior articular process. After expanding the soft tissues, a trepan with the largest diameter was located through the kirschner wire and the angle of trepan was flexible enough to adjust to different operative conditions. This technique could help to avoided using step-by-step larger diameters of trepans without slippage during foraminoplasty. RESULTS: With our modified technique, the mean operation time was 65 min (range 50-80 min) and mean estimated blood loss was 12 ml (range 10-30 ml). Fluoroscopy was less (the mean duration of fluoroscopy was 20.4 ± 9.2 s and the mean radiation dose was 0.9 ± 0.2 mSv) and no complications occurred. All foraminoplasties were excellent via CT scans after surgery and all patients were discharged on 2nd day after operation. The results of 58 patients with an average follow-up of 18 (6-36) months demonstrated our eccentric technique to be effective. CONCLUSION: Our eccentric technique could help to avoid step-by-step larger diameters of trepans during foraminoplasty to shorten operation time and reduced the number of fluoroscopy intraoperative.