• Martin Komp, Patrick Hahn, Harry Merk, Georgios Godolias, and Sebastian Ruetten.
• Department of Spine Surgery and Pain Therapy, Center for Orthopaedics and Traumatology, St. Anna-Hospital Herne, University of Witten/Herdecke, Herne, Greifswald, Germany. komp@annahospital.de
• J Spinal Disord Tech. 2011 Jul 1;24(5):281-7.

Study DesignProspective study of the patients with degenerative spinal central stenosis, operated bilateral in a full-endoscopic unilateral technique.ObjectiveThe objective of this prospective study was to examine the technical possibilities of full-endoscopic interlaminar bilateral technique with unilateral approach in degenerative lumbar central spinal stenosis and predominant leg symptoms using new designed endoscopes and instruments.Summary Of Background DataExtensive decompression with laminectomy where appropriate, is often still described as the method of choice in the operation of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Nonetheless, tissue-sparing procedures are becoming more common. Endoscopic techniques have become the standard in many areas because of the advantages they offer in surgical technique and in rehabilitation. At the spine, 1 essential point was the developing of the instruments for sufficient bone resection under continuous visual control. This enabled the use in the operation of spinal canal stenoses.MethodsA total of 72 patients with lumbar central spinal stenosis full-endoscopic unilateral decompression were followed for 2 years. In addition to general and specific parameters, these measuring instruments were used: VAS, German version North American Spine Society Instrument, Oswestry Low-back Pain Disability Questionnaire.ResultsThe results show that 70.8% no longer have leg pain or it was nearly completely reduced and 22.2% have occasional pain. The decompression results were equal to those of conventional procedures. The complication rate was low. The full-endoscopic techniques brought advantages in these areas: operation, complications, traumatization, and rehabilitation.ConclusionsThe recorded results show that the full-endoscopic interlaminar bilateral decompression with unilateral approach is a sufficient and safe supplement and alternative to conventional procedures when the indication criteria are fulfilled. At the same time, it offers the advantages of a minimally invasive intervention.

35 keywords...

hide…