Percutaneous lumbar foraminoplasty and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression for lateral recess stenosis through transforaminal approach: Technique notes and 2 years follow-up

To evaluate the outcome and safety of percutaneous lumbar foraminoplasty (PLF) and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression (PELD) with specially designed instrument for lumbar lateral recess stenosis with/without herniated discs (HDs). From August of 2011 to August of 2013, 96 patients met the inclusion criteria were treated with PLF-PELD and 85 cases were followed up to 2 years postoperatively. MRI or CT checkup performed in the next morning after operation. Outcomes of symptoms were evaluated by follow-up interviews at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after surgery. Low back pain and leg pain were measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score (1–100). Functional outcomes were assessed by using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and modified MacNab criteria. Two years follow-up data were obtained from 85 cases, including 14 cases on unilateral L3-4, 1 case on bilateral L3-4, 49 cases on unilateral L4-5, 3 cases on bilateral L4-5, 12 cases on unilateral L5S1, 1 case on bilateral L5S1, 3 cases on unilateral L3-5 and 2 cases on unilateral L4-S1. So totally 95 lumbar lateral recesses were decompressed. Patients ranged in age from 46–78 years (mean age, 56.7 years), including 36 males and 49 females. 56 cases combined with HDs. Low back pain and leg pain were significantly relieved after surgery in all patients. 3 patients were complicated with dysesthesia in distribution of exiting nerve that was all operated at L5S1. Postoperative MRI/CT examination showed adequate decompression of lateral recess and removal of combined HDs in all patients. No patient had postoperative infection, dysfunctional nerve root injury or iatrogenic segmental instability. 2 cases experienced recurrence of combined HDs (2.4%), but could not undertake further revision surgery because of infirm condition. All the 85 cases were analyzed with complete follow-up data. VAS scores and ODI values were significantly lower in all time-points after surgery than before surgery. MacNab scores at 2 years after surgery were obtained from all the 85 patients. 29 cases were given “excellent”; 48 were given “good”. 6 patients experienced heavier low back pain, thus being classified as “fair”. 2 cases with recurrence were given “poor”. PLF-PELD with specially designed instrument is a less invasive, effective and safe surgery for lumbar lateral recess stenosis with/without combined HDs.