RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Full Endoscopic Lumbar Transforaminal Interbody Fusion in DDD Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease: A Latest Technique
JF International Journal of Spine Surgery
JO Int J Spine Surg
FD International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery
SP 7168
DO 10.14444/7168
A1 Sharma, Manoj
A1 Chhawra, Sanjay
A1 Jain, Raman
A1 Sharma, Sandeep
YR 2020
UL https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2020/12/17/7168.abstract
AB Background Lumbar interbody fusion has long been used in the treatment of degenerative disc disease. Lumbar spinal interbody fusion surgery traditionally is an open surgical technique. Although lumbar spinal interbody fusions using endoscopy have been reported, the endoscope was used partially for the interbody fusion. We are reporting a case where lumbar interbody fusion with discectomy was entirely done through direct visualization with the endoscope.Methods We report a case of a 55-year-old woman who underwent the transforaminal percutaneous full-endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion technique (FELTIF) under continuous and direct visualization at the L5-S1 level. To facilitate the interbody fusion, a foraminoplasty with complete resection of the superior articular process (SAP) and a partial pediculectomy of the S1 pedicle was performed. End plate sparing decortication techniques were used under direct video endoscopic visualization. The cage and bone graft insertion occurred through the endoscopic working cannula, thereby protecting the retracted traversing and exiting nerve roots at the surgical level. Posterior supplemental fixation with percutaneous pedicle screws was performed to complete the circumferential fusion.Result The VAS leg score was reduced to 2 from preoperative score of 7 and the VAS back score reduced 3 from preoperative score of 9. Her neurogenic symptom score improved from 8 before surgery to 1 at the last follow-up. The fusion is assessed by plain radiographs in follow up.Conclusions We concluded that the insertion of an interbody fusion cage device directly through an endoscopic working cannula was technically feasible. Future research should focus on examining the clinical outcomes of this technique.Level of evidence 4.