Endoscopic sinuvertebral nerves neurotomy for the treatment of discogenic low back pain / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the clinical effects of endoscopic sinuvertebral nerves neurotomy for discogenic low back pain.Methods:Based on the anatomical research of sinuvertebral nerves, a total of 40 patients, including 9 males and 21 females aged 35±10 (24-55) years, with single-segment discogenic low back pain were treated with endoscopic sinuvertebral nerves neurotomy in our hospital from July 2018 to February 2019. The operating section included 4 cases of L 3,4 (10.0%, 4/40), 31 cases of L 4, 5 (77.5%, 31/40), and 5 cases of L 5S 1 (12.5%, 5/40). The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 4.5±0.9 with the preoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI) score 49.7%±14.0%. For diagnostic nerves block, lidocaine (0.1-0.3 ml of 0.05 g/L) was successfully injected into the intersection of the lateral edge of the bilateral pedicle projection and the upper edge of the intervertebral disc projection. The initial segment of the sinuvertebral nerves was destroyed by a radiofrequency blade or a nerve dissector after bilateral percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic. All cases were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery, observing the changes in VAS and ODI. Results:Filamentous lumbar sinuvertebral nerve was observed under endoscope with its main trunk tranversed into the spinal canal against the intervertebral disc. The deputy trunk crossed at the posterolateral edge of the intervertebral disc and entered the intervertebral disc or the posterior edge of the vertebral body. By moving along with postcentral branches of spinal artery, the main trunk of sinuvertebral nerve was with tension and was capable of moving with the nerve root. In spite of moving the working channel along the main trunk of the sinuvertebral nerve laterally, the starting point of the sinuvertebral nerve at the ventral ganglion could be observed. All 40 patients successfully completed the sinuvertebral nerve destruction. The VAS was reduced to 1.7±0.9, 1.3±0.9, 1.2±0.8, 1.3±0.7 at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after sugery respectively, which were significantly lower than those at pre-operation ( F=116.7, P=0.00). The improvement rate of VAS in 40 cases was 68.9%± 17.1% (33.3%-100.0%) at 12 months after operation. The VAS score in 6 cases was higher at 12 months after surgery than that preoperatively ( t=4.2, P=0.48), namely 1 case of L 3, 4, 2 cases of L 4, 5, and 3 cases of L 5S 1. In all cases, the ODI was reduced to 18.3%±5.2%, 14.5%±4.3%, 13.6%±3.7%, 12.8%±3.0% points at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery respectively, which were significantly lower than those before surgery ( F=237.7, P=0.00). The improvement rate of ODI was 72.0%±11.6% (33.3%-88.9%) at 12 months after surgery in all cases. Conclusion:The destruction of sinuvertebral nerve after transforaminal endoscope could improve the pain and function in patients with discogenic low back pain at L 3,4 and L 4, 5 segments within 12 months. For patients with discogenic low back pain at L 5S 1 segment, the clinical effects could be better within 6 months.