Posterior approach low lumbar nerve root sheath decompression under microendoscope:Clinical report of 39 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the method and the effect of posterior approach low lumbar spinal nerve root sheath decompression under microendoscope (MED-Ⅱ). Methods Thirty-nine patients with low lumbar disc herniation, accompanying severe preoperative limb numbness and radiculalgia, who were found obvious edema of nerve root with adhesion during surgery, entered the study. In the course of lumbar discectomy, a self-made mini-scalpel was used for the incision and decompression of the nerve root sheath, in which a 3～5 mm longitudinal incision was made along the dorsal side of the nerve root. Results Decompression was achieved under microendoscope (MED-Ⅱ) in all the 39 patients. Limb numbness and radiculalgia subsided completely in 17 patients within 24 postoperative hours, while the symptoms trailed off within 2 weeks following the surgery in the remaining patients. The time to complete disappearance of the symptoms was 1～14 d (mean, 6 5 d). Conclusions Minimally invasive spinal nerve root sheath incision and decompression can give a prompt relief from limb numbness and radiculalgia, improving the recovery of nervous system. Lumbar spinal nerve root sheath incision and decompression under microendoscope (MED-Ⅱ) is a safe and effective procedure.