• Erh-Ti Lin, Pang-Hsuan Hsiao, Chia-Yu Lin, Chien-Chun Chang, Yuan-Shun Lo, Chien-Ying Lai, Ling-Yi Li, ChenMichael Jian-WenMJDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan (ROC); Spine Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan (ROC)., Yen-Jen Chen, and Hsien-Te Chen.
• Department of Orthopedic Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan (ROC).
• Pain Physician. 2022 Aug 1; 25 (5): E777-E785.

BackgroundSymptomatic herniated intervertebral discs are debilitating. However, surgical management poses a significant challenge for endoscopic spine surgeons, especially in high-grade migrated lesions.ObjectivesThis study aimed to  assess the surgical and clinical outcomes after applying a computed tomography navigated percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy.Study DesignThe data of patients with high-grade lumbar disc migration who underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy at our spine center were retrospectively collected and analyzed from November 2017 to May 2019. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on different workflows, with group O who underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy with computed-tomography navigation (O-arm), and group C who underwent conventional fluoroscopic guidance (C-arm).SettingTwenty-one (n = 21) patients were enrolled with data fully documented. There were 9 patients in group O (n = 9) and 12 patients in group C (n = 12).MethodsAn intraoperative 3-dimensional image was obtained using the O-arm device (O-arm®, Medtronic, Inc., Louisville, CO, United States) after patient positioning in group O, and enable multiplanar visualization during exploring the entry point, trajectory, orientation, and finally discectomy. In group C, conventional imaging scanner intensifier (C-arm) was used during the procedure.ResultsThe operative time (99.4 ± 40.7 vs 86.9 ± 47.9 minutes, P = .129), blood loss (11.1 ± 15.7 vs 6.7 ± 8.2 mL, P = .602), and hospital stay (2.9 ± 0.3 vs 2.8 ± 0.6 days, P = .552) were similar between the 2 groups. However, group O showed more reduction in the pain and faster functional recovery immediately after the surgery (Visual Analog Score [VAS]: -9 vs -6.7, P =.277; Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]: -53.2% vs -29.1%, P = 0.006) and during the one-year follow-up (VAS: -8.1 vs -7.3, P =.604; ODI: -56.7% vs -40.1%, P = .053) compared with group C.LimitationsThe retrospective nature of the study design, the small population size, and the shorter period of follow-up required further study.ConclusionsComputed tomography-navigated percutaneous endoscopic surgery is safe and effective for lumbar disc herniation with high-grade migration, and enhance early functional recovery even compared with conventional fluoroscopic guidance.

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