• Bu Yang, Ruiqiang Chen, Peigen Xie, Bin Liu, Jianwen Dong, and Limin Rong.
• Department of Spine Surgery, 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou Guangdong 510630, PR China.
• Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2011 Oct 1;25(10):1158-63.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness and safety of microendoscopic decompression via unilateral approach for lumbar spinal stenosis.MethodsBetween May 2006 and June 2009, 79 patients with lumbar stenosis were treated and divided into 2 groups: posterior lamina fenestration decompression (group A, n = 37), endoscopic decompression via unilateral approach (group B, n = 42). There was no significant difference in age, sex, segment level, and disease duration between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The clinical outcomes were assessed by using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The operation time, blood loss, complications were compared between 2 groups.ResultsOperations were successfully performed in all cases. The operation time, blood loss, and drainage volume were (75.0 +/- 25.7) minutes, (140.3 +/- 54.8) mL, and (46.5 +/- 19.7) mL in group A, were (50.4 +/- 18.2) minutes, (80.2 +/- 35.7) mL, and (12.7 +/- 5.3) mL in group B; there were significant differences between 2 groups (P < 0.05). All the wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-39 months (mean, 16 months). In group A, 1 patient suffered from intervertebral space infection after operation and recovered after conservative treatment; 4 patients had lumbar instability after operation and recovered after lumbar interbody fusion combined with spine system internal fixation. In group B, 2 patients suffered from spinal dural rupture during operation and recovered after corresponding treatment, and no lumbar instability was found. There was no significant difference in VAS score and ODI between 2 groups at preoperation (P > 0.05). Both VAS score and ODI were significantly improved at early stage after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperation in each group (P < 0.05). Comparing with group A, there was significant improvement in VAS score at 24 hours postoperatively and in ODI at 1 month postoperatively in group B (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed at last follow-up (P > 0.05). According to clinical evaluation of ODI improvement rate, the excellent and good rate was 89.2% in group A and 92.9% in group B, showing no significant difference (chi2 = 0.896, P = 0.827).ConclusionComparing with posterior decompression surgery, microendoscopic decompression via unilateral approach is one of effective method to treat lumbar stenosis, with less trauma of fenestration yield and good early outcomes.

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