Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression with Minimal Nerve Root Retraction for Impending Neurologic Deficit in Degenerative Lumbar Spine Diseases

Abstract Objectives The aim of this retrospective case study was to analyze the outcomes of minimal nerve root retraction in patients with impending neurologic deficit in degenerative lumbar spine disease using the full-endoscopic spine surgery. Materials and Methods Thirty-seven consecutive patients with impending neurologic deficit underwent endoscopic spine surgery through either the transforaminal or the interlaminar approach. Their clinical outcomes were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS) leg pain score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and MacNab's criteria. The outcome of motor deficitis was evaluated with the Medical Research Council (MRC) grade. Completeness of decompression was documented with a postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scan. Results A total of 40 lumbar levels of 37 patients were operated, VAS score of the leg improved from 7.7 ± 1 to 1.9 ± 0.6 (p < 0.0001). ODI score improved from 74.7 ± 6.5 to 25.4 ± 3.49 (p < 0.0001). Motor weakness improved significantly immediately after surgery. The mean MRC grade increased to 1.97, 3.65, 4.41, and 4.76 preoperatively, at 1 week, at 3 months, and at the final follow-up, respectively, and all the patients with foot drop and cauda equina syndrome symptom recovered completely. One patient with great toe drop recovered partially to MRC grade 3. Mean follow-up of the study was 13.3 ± 6.1 months. According to MacNab's criteria, 30 patients (80.1%) had good and 7 patients (18.9%) had excellent results. Three patients required revision surgery. Conclusions Minimal nerve root retraction during full-endoscopic spine surgery is safe and effective for treatment of the impending neurologic deficit. We could achieve a thorough decompression of the affected nerve root with acceptable clinical outcome and minimal postoperative morbidity.

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Follow-up of degenerative lumbar spine surgery—PROMs stabilize after 1 year: an equivalence study based on Swespine data

European Spine Journal ◽

10.1007/s00586-019-05989-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (9) ◽

pp. 2187-2197 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

C. Parai ◽

O. Hägg ◽

B. Lind ◽

H. Brisby

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Spine Surgery ◽

Lumbar Spine Surgery ◽

Degenerative Lumbar Spine

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Characteristics and predicted outcome of patients lost to follow-up after degenerative lumbar spine surgery

European Spine Journal ◽

10.1007/s00586-020-06528-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (12) ◽

pp. 3063-3073

Author(s):

C. Parai ◽

O. Hägg ◽

C. Willers ◽

B. Lind ◽

H. Brisby

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Spine Surgery ◽

Global Assessment ◽

Lumbar Spine Surgery ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Degenerative Lumbar Spine ◽

Baseline Characteristics ◽

Lost To Follow Up ◽

The Eu

Abstract Purpose The relatively large number of participants lost to follow-up (attrition) in spinal registers calls for studies that investigate the features of these individuals and their possible outcome. The aim was to explore the effect of attrition on patient-reported outcome in patients undergoing degenerative lumbar spine surgery. Three groups were studied: spinal stenosis (LSS), disc herniation (LDH) and degenerative disc disorder (DDD). Methods Patients who underwent surgery for degenerative lumbar spine conditions during 2008–2012 according to registration in the Swespine national register were eligible for the study. Non-respondents were registered in Swespine prior to surgery, but not at follow-up. Swespine data were merged with hospital data from seven Swedish regions (65% of the population), Statistics Sweden, the National Patient Register and the Social Insurance Agency. Baseline characteristics of non-respondents were described and compared to those of the respondents. Coefficients from regression analyses on PROM values for respondents were used to estimate the levels of PROM values for non-respondents, assuming the same effects of baseline characteristics for the two subgroups. Regression analyses were then conducted to identify variables associated with non-response. The results from the regression analyses were used to predict outcomes for patients with the characteristics of a non-respondent. Primary outcome variable in LSS and LDH was Global Assessment for leg pain, and in DDD, Global Assessment for back pain. Results Age, sex, educational level, smoking, living alone, being born outside the EU, previous spine surgery and unexpected events before follow-up were factors that were significantly associated with non-response. Being born inside, the EU was important in all of the studied groups (LSS: OR 0.61 p = < 0.000; LDH: OR 0.68 p = 0.001; DDD: OR 0.58 p = 0.04). For spinal stenosis patients, an unexpected event appeared particularly important (OR 3.40, p = 0.000). The predicted outcome of non-respondents was significantly worse than for respondents (LSS: 75.4% successful outcome vs. 78.7%; LDH: 53.9% vs. 58.2%; DDD: 62.7% vs. 67.5%. P-value in all groups = < 0.000). Conclusion Attrition in Swespine cannot be ignored, as non-respondents were predicted to have worse outcome. The effect of attrition bias should always be considered when contemplating outcome recorded in a quality register with patients lost to follow-up.

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Feasibility of Full Endoscopic Spine Surgery in Patients Over the Age of 70 Years With Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease

Neurospine ◽

10.14245/ns.1836046.023 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 131-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Jeong Hoon Kim ◽

Hyeun Sung Kim ◽

Ankur Kapoor ◽

Nitin Adsul ◽

Ki Joon Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Spine Surgery ◽

Degenerative Lumbar Spine ◽

Endoscopic Spine Surgery ◽

Spine Disease

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A Novel Capsule Lumbar Interbody Fusion (CLIF) in Treating Foot Drop due to Lumbar Degenerative Diseases: a Prospective, Observational Study

Pain Research and Management ◽

10.1155/2021/6880956 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Kaiqiang Sun ◽

Feng Lin ◽

Jialin Jiang ◽

Jingchuan Sun ◽

Jiangang Shi

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Nerve Root ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Foot Drop ◽

Clinical Effects ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Degenerative Diseases ◽

Hemodynamic Parameters ◽

Lumbar Degenerative Diseases

Objective. This present study aimed to explore the clinical effects of a novel capsule lumbar interbody fusion (CLIF) on foot drop due to lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods. Between June 2018 and January 2019, a total of 27 patients admitted to our department with lumbar degenerative diseases with associated foot drop were prospectively enrolled. Given the selection of surgical technique, patients were divided into traditional TLIF group and CLIF group. We assessed patients’ neurological status using JOA and VAS score, tibialis anterior muscle strength using MMT score, diameter and hemodynamic parameters of the L5 nerve root using intraoperative ultrasonography (IoUS), and related radiological parameters of the lumbar spine. Operation time, blood loss, and surgery-associated complications were also recorded. Results. The median duration of follow-up was 150 (6–1460) months. At the final follow-up, all patients acquired satisfactory improvement of neurological function. However, patients in the CLIF group showed better early recovery of foot drop three months after operation than those in the TLIF group, with 75% excellent rate. In addition, IoUS suggested that the diameter and hemodynamic parameters of the L5 nerve root were improved better in the CLIF group, which may suggest the correlation between the recovery of foot drop and the status of L5 nerve root. No severe complications were encountered with CLIF. Conclusions. Our preliminary study revealed that the axial tension of L5 nerve root may be involved in the pathological mechanism of foot drop. The novel technique of CLIF can shorten the lumbar spine and can be effective and safe for the treatment of foot drop due to lumbar degeneration-related diseases.

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Acute bilateral foot drop with or without cauda equina syndrome—a case series

Acta Neurochirurgica ◽

10.1007/s00701-021-04735-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 163 (4) ◽

pp. 1191-1198

Author(s):

Andreas K. Demetriades ◽

Marco Mancuso-Marcello ◽

Asfand Baig Mirza ◽

Joseph Frantzias ◽

David A. Bell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cauda Equina Syndrome ◽

Cauda Equina ◽

Case Series ◽

Foot Drop ◽

Spinal Disease ◽

Full Resolution ◽

Degenerative Spinal Disease ◽

The Mean ◽

The One

Abstract Introduction Isolated acute bilateral foot drop due to degenerative spine disease is an extremely rare neurosurgical presentation, whilst the literature is rich with accounts of chronic bilateral foot drop occurring as a sequela of systemic illnesses. We present, to our knowledge, the largest case series of acute bilateral foot drop, with trauma and relevant systemic illness excluded. Methods Data from three different centres had been collected at the time of historic treatment, and records were subsequently reviewed retrospectively, documenting the clinical presentation, radiological level of compression, timing of surgery, and degree of neurological recovery. Results Seven patients are presented. The mean age at presentation was 52.1 years (range 41–66). All patients but one were male. All had a painful radiculopathic presentation. Relevant discopathy was observed from L2/3 to L5/S1, the commonest level being L3/4. Five were treated within 24 h of presentation, and two within 48 h. Three had concomitant cauda equina syndrome; of these, the first two made a full motor recovery, one by 6 weeks follow-up and the second on the same-day post-op evaluation. Overall, five out of seven cases had full resolution of their ankle dorsiflexion pareses. One patient with 1/5 power has not improved. Another with 1/5 weakness improved to normal on the one side and to 3/5 on the other. Conclusion When bilateral foot drop occurs acutely, we encourage the consideration of degenerative spinal disease. Relevant discopathy was observed from L2/3 to L5/S1; aberrant innervation may be at play. Cauda equina syndrome is not necessarily associated with acute bilateral foot drop. The prognosis seems to be pretty good with respect to recovery of the foot drop, especially if partial at presentation and if treated within 48 h.

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