Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery for Various Foraminal Lesions at the Lumbosacral Lesion

The stenosing foramen of L5–S1 by several degenerative diseases is one of the challenging areas on surgical approaching because of the deeper depth and steep slope in the lumbosacral junction. The floating view using unilateral biportal endoscopic spine surgery rather than docking into the Kambin’s zone can make the foraminal structures seen panoramically and permit dynamic handling of various instruments without destroying the facet joint and causing iatrogenic instability. Fine discrimination of structural margins in helps of the higher magnification and gentle manipulation of neural structures just as in open spine surgery could be guaranteed using floating technique from the target structures. Selective decompression with preserving innocent structures including facet joints could relieve foraminal lesions at the L5–S1 and decrease the necessity of fusion surgery caused by wider decompression and iatrogenic instability.

Learning Curve Associated with Complications in Biportal Endoscopic Spinal Surgery: Challenges and Strategies

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptions of technical strategies to overcome pitfalls associated with early learning periods in biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (BESS). PURPOSE: To introduce BESS for lumbar spinal diseases (LSDs) and to inform certain challenges to be overcome in mastering the technique. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: BESS has shown superior benefits including excellent magnification, a wider range of view by dynamic handling of an endoscope and instruments. Clinical reports, however, have not yet been very revealing for its new introduction into minimally invasive spine surgery. METHODS: To evaluate the learning curve for BESS, the procedures for various LSDs by one surgeon were analyzed in the view of shortening of the operating times and reduction of complications. Reviewing of recorded procedures helped in finding the reasons and the implemented solutions. RESULTS: The 68 cases included 25 for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), 3 for revision for recurred LDH, 39 for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and 1 for synovial cyst. The operation time for the total cases averaged 83.7±33.6 minutes. According to diagnosis, it was 68.2±23.7 minutes for LDH. After the 14th case of LDH, it was nearly constant and close to the average time. One level of LSS needed 110.4±34.4 minutes. Prolonged operation times even in some later cases of LSS were mainly from struggling against blurred vision due to epidural bleeding. There were 7 cases of complications (10.3%) including 2 cases of dural tear, 1 case of root injury, and 4 cases of incomplete decompression on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. There was no case of symptomatic hematoma or wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: BESS seemed to have a relatively short learning curve period. The overall complication rate in early learning period was 10.3%. These could be avoided by magnified regional views on an endoscope and a clear surgical field by controlling epidural bleeding.

Biportal Endoscopic Spinal Surgery for Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniations

The major problems of revision surgery for recurrent lumbar disc herniation (LDH) include limited visualization due to adhesion of scar tissue, restricted handling of neural structures in insufficient visual field, and consequent higher risk of a dura tear and nerve root injury. Therefore, clear differentiation of neural structures from scar tissue and adhesiolysis performed while preserving stability of the remnant facet joint would lower the risk of complications and unnecessary fusion surgery. Biportal endoscopic spine surgery has several merits including sufficient magnification with panoramic view under very high illumination and free handling of instruments normally impossible in open spine surgery. It is supposed to be a highly recommendable alternative technique that is safer and less destructive than the other surgical options for recurrent LDH.