Rates of achieving meaningful outcomes after undergoing minimally-invasive far lateral tubular decompression

Abstract Purpose To evaluate rates of achieving meaningful outcomes among patients undergoing far lateral tubular decompression (FLTD) for neuroforaminal stenosis. Traditional midline approaches are ineffective in treating isolated neuroforaminal stenosis. Direct decompression via a far lateral appr...

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Main Authors: Ameen Barghi, Anirudh Gowd, Edward Beck, Marcel Brown, Evan M. Miller, Ziyad Knio, Matthew Jamison, Tadhg O’gara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08446-w
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author Ameen Barghi
Anirudh Gowd
Edward Beck
Marcel Brown
Evan M. Miller
Ziyad Knio
Matthew Jamison
Tadhg O’gara
author_facet Ameen Barghi
Anirudh Gowd
Edward Beck
Marcel Brown
Evan M. Miller
Ziyad Knio
Matthew Jamison
Tadhg O’gara
author_sort Ameen Barghi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose To evaluate rates of achieving meaningful outcomes among patients undergoing far lateral tubular decompression (FLTD) for neuroforaminal stenosis. Traditional midline approaches are ineffective in treating isolated neuroforaminal stenosis. Direct decompression via a far lateral approach offers a minimally invasive, facet-sparing surgery with minimal surgical dissection. Methods Patients who underwent FLTD between January 2014 and January 2019 for isolated foraminal stenosis were included. The study collected patient demographics, perioperative data, and pre- and postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The study calculated thresholds for achieving minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on each PRO and performed logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of achieving meaningful clinical outcomes and clinical failure. Results 64 patients were included with a 2-year follow-up. The analysis showed improvement in each PRO over the 2-year period (p < 0.001 for all). 90.2% of patients achieved MCID for at least one PRO, with the VAS leg pain having the highest achievement rate at 79.7%. During the follow-up period, 17.2% required additional surgery. Increased severity of preoperative symptoms was associated with a greater likelihood of achieving MCID in all three PROs (p < 0.05, each). The presence of spondylolisthesis was associated with decreased odds of achieving MCID by ODI (p = 0.04). Increased operative time was associated with increased odds of achieving MCID by ODI (p = 0.03). No variables were associated with revision surgery. Conclusions FLTD is an effective treatment option for direct decompression of foraminal and extra foraminal stenosis in well-indicated patients. Most patients achieved MCID two years from surgery, with more severe symptoms having a greater likelihood of improvement, particularly with radicular pain. Further research should be performed on patients with spondylolisthesis to prescribe treatment resulting in maximal benefit. Level of evidence 4.
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spelling doaj-art-79da40ffb6c54df6928f0e2a5494fb512025-08-20T03:18:34ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-04-012611810.1186/s12891-025-08446-wRates of achieving meaningful outcomes after undergoing minimally-invasive far lateral tubular decompressionAmeen Barghi0Anirudh Gowd1Edward Beck2Marcel Brown3Evan M. Miller4Ziyad Knio5Matthew Jamison6Tadhg O’gara7Wake Forest Baptist Medical CenterWake Forest Baptist Medical CenterWake Forest Baptist Medical CenterWake Forest Baptist Medical CenterWake Forest Baptist Medical CenterWake Forest Baptist Medical CenterWake Forest Baptist Medical CenterWake Forest Baptist Medical CenterAbstract Purpose To evaluate rates of achieving meaningful outcomes among patients undergoing far lateral tubular decompression (FLTD) for neuroforaminal stenosis. Traditional midline approaches are ineffective in treating isolated neuroforaminal stenosis. Direct decompression via a far lateral approach offers a minimally invasive, facet-sparing surgery with minimal surgical dissection. Methods Patients who underwent FLTD between January 2014 and January 2019 for isolated foraminal stenosis were included. The study collected patient demographics, perioperative data, and pre- and postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The study calculated thresholds for achieving minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on each PRO and performed logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of achieving meaningful clinical outcomes and clinical failure. Results 64 patients were included with a 2-year follow-up. The analysis showed improvement in each PRO over the 2-year period (p < 0.001 for all). 90.2% of patients achieved MCID for at least one PRO, with the VAS leg pain having the highest achievement rate at 79.7%. During the follow-up period, 17.2% required additional surgery. Increased severity of preoperative symptoms was associated with a greater likelihood of achieving MCID in all three PROs (p < 0.05, each). The presence of spondylolisthesis was associated with decreased odds of achieving MCID by ODI (p = 0.04). Increased operative time was associated with increased odds of achieving MCID by ODI (p = 0.03). No variables were associated with revision surgery. Conclusions FLTD is an effective treatment option for direct decompression of foraminal and extra foraminal stenosis in well-indicated patients. Most patients achieved MCID two years from surgery, with more severe symptoms having a greater likelihood of improvement, particularly with radicular pain. Further research should be performed on patients with spondylolisthesis to prescribe treatment resulting in maximal benefit. Level of evidence 4.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08446-wFar lateral decompressionFacet-sparingTubular approach
spellingShingle Ameen Barghi
Anirudh Gowd
Edward Beck
Marcel Brown
Evan M. Miller
Ziyad Knio
Matthew Jamison
Tadhg O’gara
Rates of achieving meaningful outcomes after undergoing minimally-invasive far lateral tubular decompression
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Far lateral decompression
Facet-sparing
Tubular approach
title Rates of achieving meaningful outcomes after undergoing minimally-invasive far lateral tubular decompression
title_full Rates of achieving meaningful outcomes after undergoing minimally-invasive far lateral tubular decompression
title_fullStr Rates of achieving meaningful outcomes after undergoing minimally-invasive far lateral tubular decompression
title_full_unstemmed Rates of achieving meaningful outcomes after undergoing minimally-invasive far lateral tubular decompression
title_short Rates of achieving meaningful outcomes after undergoing minimally-invasive far lateral tubular decompression
title_sort rates of achieving meaningful outcomes after undergoing minimally invasive far lateral tubular decompression
topic Far lateral decompression
Facet-sparing
Tubular approach
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08446-w
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