A Novel Unilateral Bi/Multi‐Portal Endoscopic Transforaminal Interbody Fusion Utilizing Uniaxial Spinal Endoscope Instead of Arthroscope: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical Results

ABSTRACT Background Currently, traditional UBE surgery, which is based on arthroscope, has been increasingly employed for complex lumbar degenerative diseases. However, this approach is associated with complications such as intraoperative dural sac tears, nerve root injuries, and postoperative epidu...

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Main Authors: Liyu Yang, Long Zhou, Min Qiu, Feng Liang, Liqing Yang, Qin Fu, Gen Ba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Orthopaedic Surgery
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/os.14286
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author Liyu Yang
Long Zhou
Min Qiu
Feng Liang
Liqing Yang
Qin Fu
Gen Ba
author_facet Liyu Yang
Long Zhou
Min Qiu
Feng Liang
Liqing Yang
Qin Fu
Gen Ba
author_sort Liyu Yang
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background Currently, traditional UBE surgery, which is based on arthroscope, has been increasingly employed for complex lumbar degenerative diseases. However, this approach is associated with complications such as intraoperative dural sac tears, nerve root injuries, and postoperative epidural hematomas. In response to these challenges, we propose a novel technique utilizing uniaxial spinal endoscope to replace arthroscope—Unilateral Bi/Multi‐Portal Endoscopy (UME). This new method has successfully treated complex lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis, resulting in improved postoperative outcomes and a reduction in complications. Based on the previous findings, we utilized uniaxial spinal endoscopy as the primary operating method, with the assistance of multi‐portal endoscopic techniques (UME‐TLIF), to perform transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. The feasibility and preliminary clinical results have been presented in this paper. Methods A total of 18 patients (8 men and 10 women, aged 52.6 ± 15.29 years) diagnosed with lumbar degenerative diseases, such as giant lumbar disc herniation, severe lumbar spinal stenosis, or lumbar spondylolisthesis, were included in this study from January 2022 to March 2023. Various parameters including operation time, ambulatory time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, hospitalization days, and complications were recorded during the perioperative period. Clinically relevant symptoms were evaluated and documented 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for lower back pain and leg pain, as well as the Oswestry disability index (ODI), were measured. The extent of lumbar interbody fusion was assessed using lumbar X‐ray and CT scans at the 12‐months follow‐up. MRI was performed to assess the degree of nerve decompression in patients at the same time points. The paired t‐test or Wilcoxon signed‐rank test were used as statistical methods. Results The single‐segment UME‐TLIF procedure had an average operation time of 211 ± 53.3 min, and the average number of X‐rays taken during the operation was 11.78 ± 5.32. Patients were able to walk and perform functional exercises approximately 35.11 ± 8.41 h post‐surgery, and the average duration of hospital stay was 8.5 ± 2.27 days. The VAS and ODI values at each time point post‐surgery were significantly lower than the respective pre‐surgery values (p < 0.05). Two patients developed postoperative sensory disturbances which significantly improved with conservative treatment. Furthermore, a follow‐up CT scan conducted 12 months post‐surgery showed 100% fusion rate of the surgical segments in all patients. Conclusion UME‐TLIF is an endoscopy‐assisted fusion procedure that minimizes muscle damage in patients and allows early rehabilitation. This technique broadens the surgical applications of uniaxial spinal endoscope as a surgical tool, particularly benefitingpatients diagnosed with severe lumbar disc herniation and lumbar instability.
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spelling doaj-art-93c9a43ceb244a6daf0baaa5d7a263ac2025-01-16T05:31:15ZengWileyOrthopaedic Surgery1757-78531757-78612025-01-0117119220110.1111/os.14286A Novel Unilateral Bi/Multi‐Portal Endoscopic Transforaminal Interbody Fusion Utilizing Uniaxial Spinal Endoscope Instead of Arthroscope: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical ResultsLiyu Yang0Long Zhou1Min Qiu2Feng Liang3Liqing Yang4Qin Fu5Gen Ba6Department of Orthopedic Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang People's Republic of ChinaDepartment of Orthopedic Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang People's Republic of ChinaDepartment of Orthopedic Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang People's Republic of ChinaDepartment of Orthopedic Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang People's Republic of ChinaDepartment of Orthopedic Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang People's Republic of ChinaDepartment of Orthopedic Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang People's Republic of ChinaDepartment of Orthopedic Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang People's Republic of ChinaABSTRACT Background Currently, traditional UBE surgery, which is based on arthroscope, has been increasingly employed for complex lumbar degenerative diseases. However, this approach is associated with complications such as intraoperative dural sac tears, nerve root injuries, and postoperative epidural hematomas. In response to these challenges, we propose a novel technique utilizing uniaxial spinal endoscope to replace arthroscope—Unilateral Bi/Multi‐Portal Endoscopy (UME). This new method has successfully treated complex lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis, resulting in improved postoperative outcomes and a reduction in complications. Based on the previous findings, we utilized uniaxial spinal endoscopy as the primary operating method, with the assistance of multi‐portal endoscopic techniques (UME‐TLIF), to perform transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. The feasibility and preliminary clinical results have been presented in this paper. Methods A total of 18 patients (8 men and 10 women, aged 52.6 ± 15.29 years) diagnosed with lumbar degenerative diseases, such as giant lumbar disc herniation, severe lumbar spinal stenosis, or lumbar spondylolisthesis, were included in this study from January 2022 to March 2023. Various parameters including operation time, ambulatory time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, hospitalization days, and complications were recorded during the perioperative period. Clinically relevant symptoms were evaluated and documented 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for lower back pain and leg pain, as well as the Oswestry disability index (ODI), were measured. The extent of lumbar interbody fusion was assessed using lumbar X‐ray and CT scans at the 12‐months follow‐up. MRI was performed to assess the degree of nerve decompression in patients at the same time points. The paired t‐test or Wilcoxon signed‐rank test were used as statistical methods. Results The single‐segment UME‐TLIF procedure had an average operation time of 211 ± 53.3 min, and the average number of X‐rays taken during the operation was 11.78 ± 5.32. Patients were able to walk and perform functional exercises approximately 35.11 ± 8.41 h post‐surgery, and the average duration of hospital stay was 8.5 ± 2.27 days. The VAS and ODI values at each time point post‐surgery were significantly lower than the respective pre‐surgery values (p < 0.05). Two patients developed postoperative sensory disturbances which significantly improved with conservative treatment. Furthermore, a follow‐up CT scan conducted 12 months post‐surgery showed 100% fusion rate of the surgical segments in all patients. Conclusion UME‐TLIF is an endoscopy‐assisted fusion procedure that minimizes muscle damage in patients and allows early rehabilitation. This technique broadens the surgical applications of uniaxial spinal endoscope as a surgical tool, particularly benefitingpatients diagnosed with severe lumbar disc herniation and lumbar instability.https://doi.org/10.1111/os.14286lumbar disc herniationlumbar endoscopic interbody fusiontransforaminal lumbar interbody fusionunilateral bi/multi‐portal endoscopy
spellingShingle Liyu Yang
Long Zhou
Min Qiu
Feng Liang
Liqing Yang
Qin Fu
Gen Ba
A Novel Unilateral Bi/Multi‐Portal Endoscopic Transforaminal Interbody Fusion Utilizing Uniaxial Spinal Endoscope Instead of Arthroscope: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical Results
Orthopaedic Surgery
lumbar disc herniation
lumbar endoscopic interbody fusion
transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion
unilateral bi/multi‐portal endoscopy
title A Novel Unilateral Bi/Multi‐Portal Endoscopic Transforaminal Interbody Fusion Utilizing Uniaxial Spinal Endoscope Instead of Arthroscope: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical Results
title_full A Novel Unilateral Bi/Multi‐Portal Endoscopic Transforaminal Interbody Fusion Utilizing Uniaxial Spinal Endoscope Instead of Arthroscope: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical Results
title_fullStr A Novel Unilateral Bi/Multi‐Portal Endoscopic Transforaminal Interbody Fusion Utilizing Uniaxial Spinal Endoscope Instead of Arthroscope: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical Results
title_full_unstemmed A Novel Unilateral Bi/Multi‐Portal Endoscopic Transforaminal Interbody Fusion Utilizing Uniaxial Spinal Endoscope Instead of Arthroscope: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical Results
title_short A Novel Unilateral Bi/Multi‐Portal Endoscopic Transforaminal Interbody Fusion Utilizing Uniaxial Spinal Endoscope Instead of Arthroscope: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical Results
title_sort novel unilateral bi multi portal endoscopic transforaminal interbody fusion utilizing uniaxial spinal endoscope instead of arthroscope technical note and preliminary clinical results
topic lumbar disc herniation
lumbar endoscopic interbody fusion
transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion
unilateral bi/multi‐portal endoscopy
url https://doi.org/10.1111/os.14286
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