Surgical treatment of calcified lumbar disc protrusion through a limited-incision under cold light source / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate curative outcomes of the limited-incision surgery under cold light source for treating calcified lumbar disc protrusion. Methods A total of 36 patients with calcified lumbar disc protrusion underwent limited-incision surgery under cold light visualization from January 2000 to June 2005. The patients were maintained at a prone position. The operation was carried out under local anesthesia. A longitudinal skin incision around 3 cm in length was made. After the inferior border of the vertebral plate and the intervertebral space were exposed, a lamina retractor was inserted above the superior border of the articular process. Then a fenestration and a discectomy were performed under cold light visulization. Results The operative time was 75.3?3.5 min and the intraoperative blood loss was 100.6?5.5 ml. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 3 patients. All the 36 patients were followed for 6~60 months (mean, 27 months). Symptoms of low back pain, lower limb pain, and intermittent limping disappeared completely in all the 36 patients. According to the Nakai standard, the rate of excellent or good results was 94.4% ( 34/36 ). Conclusions Limited-incision surgery under cold light source for the treatment of calcified lumbar disc protrusion offers advantages of simplicity of performance, minimal invasion, and satisfactory outcomes.