Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar spinal canal decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and curative effect of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar spinal canal decompression in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. This retrospective study recruited 64 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar spinal canal decompression via surgical approach of posterolateral intervertebral foramen. The postoperation neurological function and pain status were evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS) score of pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the patient satisfaction was evaluated according to the MacNab outcome criteria. The data, including preoperative comorbidities, operation time, the quantity of bleeding, bed rest time, and intraoperative and postoperative complications, were recorded. The mean operation time was 78min, the mean quantity of bleeding was 20 mL and bed rest time was 6 h to 3 days. All patients were followed-up for 4 months to 5 years. The mean preoperative VAS score was 7.7 +/- 1.2, while postoperative 3 months, 6 months, and final follow-up VAS scores were 2.8 +/- 0.7, 2.1 +/- 0.6, and 0.8 +/- 0.6, respectively (P<0.001). The mean preoperative ODI score was 72.4 +/- 1.2, while postoperative 3 months, 6 months, and final follow-up ODI scores were 29.7 +/- 4.9, 23.9 +/- 4.0, and 12.5 +/- 3.9, respectively (P<0.001). The excellent and good rate reached 73.4% at the final follow-up. The percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar spinal canal decompression is an easy, safe, and effective minimally invasive surgery for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.