Dong Hwa Heo1, Ji Yeon Kim2, Jeong-Yoon Park3, Jin Sung Kim4, Hyeun Sung Kim5, Jeffrey Roh6, Choon Keun Park2, Hungtae Chung1. 1. Endoscopic Spine Surgery Center, Neurosurgery, Seoul Bumin Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. 2. Neurosurgery, Leon Wiltse Memorial Hospital, Suwon, South Korea. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal Cord Institute, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. 4. Neurosurgery, Medical College of Medicine, Catholic University, Seoul, South Korea. 5. Neurosurgery, Gangnam Nanoori Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. 6. Orthopedics, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The lack of stereoscopic vision in endoscopic spine surgery may lead to a risk of neural or vascular injury during endoscopic surgery. Three-dimensional (3D) endoscopy has not yet been attempted in the field of spinal endoscopic surgery. OBJECTIVE: To present the technique, clinical efficacy, and safety of the 3D biportal endoscopic approach for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. METHODS: We attempted 3D biportal endoscopic surgery for lumbar degenerative disease in a series of patients. Clinical outcomes and complications were evaluated postoperatively using a short questionnaire about 3D biportal endoscopic spine surgery that solicited respondents' opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of 3D biportal endoscopic surgery compared to the conventional 2D biportal endoscopic approach. RESULTS: We performed 3D biportal endoscopic spine surgery in 38 patients with lumbar degenerative disease. Optimal neural decompression was revealed by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging in all enrolled patients. The 3D endoscopic vision clearly demonstrated the surgical anatomy starting with the exposure of ligamentum flavum, dura, and nerve root, and 3D endoscopy precisely depicted pathologic lesions such as bony osteophytes and ruptured disc herniation. There were no major complications including neural injury or durotomy. CONCLUSION: The 3D endoscope may be able to distinguish between normal structures and lesions. The stereognosis and depth sensation of 3D biportal endoscopic spinal surgery might have a favorable impact on the safety of patients during endoscopic spine surgery.
BACKGROUND: The lack of stereoscopic vision in endoscopic spine surgery may lead to a risk of neural or vascular injury during endoscopic surgery. Three-dimensional (3D) endoscopy has not yet been attempted in the field of spinal endoscopic surgery. OBJECTIVE: To present the technique, clinical efficacy, and safety of the 3D biportal endoscopic approach for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. METHODS: We attempted 3D biportal endoscopic surgery for lumbar degenerative disease in a series of patients. Clinical outcomes and complications were evaluated postoperatively using a short questionnaire about 3D biportal endoscopic spine surgery that solicited respondents' opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of 3D biportal endoscopic surgery compared to the conventional 2D biportal endoscopic approach. RESULTS: We performed 3D biportal endoscopic spine surgery in 38 patients with lumbar degenerative disease. Optimal neural decompression was revealed by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging in all enrolled patients. The 3D endoscopic vision clearly demonstrated the surgical anatomy starting with the exposure of ligamentum flavum, dura, and nerve root, and 3D endoscopy precisely depicted pathologic lesions such as bony osteophytes and ruptured disc herniation. There were no major complications including neural injury or durotomy. CONCLUSION: The 3D endoscope may be able to distinguish between normal structures and lesions. The stereognosis and depth sensation of 3D biportal endoscopic spinal surgery might have a favorable impact on the safety of patients during endoscopic spine surgery.