INITIAL OUTCOME OF UNILATERAL BIPORTAL ENDOSCOPIC DECOMPRESSION FOR DEGENERATIVE LUMBAR CANAL STENOSIS

Abstract

Background: Degenerative lumbar canal stenosis (DLCS) is the most common indication for spinal surgery in the elderly population. Minimally invasive surgery is an inevitable trend, in which unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) decompression is a promising new direction.

Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of lumbar canal stenosis patients undergoing unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression at our hospital.

Methods: This is a retrospective study. 9 patients with DLCS were treated with UBE techniques. Preoperative back and leg visual analog scale (VAS-B and VAS-L, respectively) scores and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were recorded and compared with corresponding values on final follow-up. The MacNab criteria was evaluated at the final follow-up.

Results: The average follow-up period was 9.7 ± 1.5 months, the average operative time was 148.3 ± 42.5 minutes, and the average of hospital stay was 3.6 ± 2.4 days. The mean VAS-L improved from 6.56 ± 2.19 to 0.44 ± 0.53 and the mean VAS-B improved from 5.56 ± 2.60 to 1.11 ± 1.54. The mean ODI significantly was significantly improved from 61.7 ± 6.8 to 13.9 ± 9.0. Modified Macnab criteria were excellent in 5 patients (55.6%), good in 3 (33.6%), fair in 1 (11.2%). There was one case of epidural hematoma.

Conclusions: UBE decompression techniques for lumbar canal stenosis can be performed safely and effectively. Initial results are very positive. This technique may be widely used in the future.

Keywords: biportal endoscopic spine surgery, lumbar canal stenosis