RESUMO
The biportal endoscopic spine surgery allow us to use conventional spine surgical instruments in the endoscopic procedure like open surgery. And protection of the neural structures with assistant retractor make this procedure safer than the uniportal endoscopic spine surgery. The authors present a novel technique in treating degenerative spinal diseases in variable access angle different from the conventional uniportal endoscopic spine surgeries. The main objective of this report is presenting two approaches for central and extraforaminal stenosis using an assistant retractor. Both central and foraminal stenosis were well decompressed and a migrated disc fragment was removed successfully with this minimal endoscopic procedure without major complications in these cases.
RESUMO
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.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Prevalent endoscopic spine surgeries have shown limitations especially in spinal stenosis (Ahn in Neurosurgery 75(2):124-133, 2014). Biportal endoscopic surgery is introduced to manage central and foraminal stenosis with its wide range of access angle and clear view. METHODS: The authors provide an introduction of this technique followed by a description of the surgical anatomy with discussion on its indications and advantages. In particular, tricks to avoid complications are also presented. CONCLUSIONS: Effective circumferential and focal decompression were achieved in most cases without damage to the spinal structural integrity with preservation of muscular and ligamentous attachments. The biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (BESS) may be safely used as an alternative minimally invasive procedure for lumbar spinal stenosis (Figs. 1 and 2).
