Design and clinical application of the instrument for percutaneous posterolateral lumbar foraminoplasty / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo introduce the design of the instrument for percutaneous posterolateral foraminoplasty and analyze long-term outcomes of percutaneous foraminoplasty and transforaminal endoscopic discectomy in the treatment of non-contained lumbar disc herniation.MethodsFifty-six patients with noncontained lumbar disc herniation confirmed by symptom,physical sign and concordant imaging underwent percutaneous foraminoplasty and transforaminal endoscopic discectomy,including 7 cases of L3-4,30 of L4-5 and 19 of L5S1.The visual analogue scales(VAS) of pre- and post-operative low back pain and sciatica were compared,and the Macnab scores were also evaluated.ResultsAll of the procedures were performed successfully,with mean operation time of 60 min(range,40-120 min),and a mean blood loss of 30 ml (range,20-50 ml).The follow-up time was more than 36 months.Postoperative VAS of low back pain and sciatica were significantly decreased compared with preoperative VAS (P＜0.01).There were 44 cases of excellent,10of good,and 2 of fair according to Macnab score system,with total successful rate (excellent and good) up to 96.4％.Only 5 cases with L5S1 disc herniation were found complicated with sun-burn syndrome,which were relieved by pulsed electro-stimulant therapy for 1 week.ConclusionPercutaneous foraminoplasty and transforaminal endoscopic discectomy is an effective and safe minimally invasive treatment alternative for non-contained lumbar disc herniation.