Abstract
Background:
The percutaneous intervertebral foramen mirror technology is a new solution for lumbar disorders. However, like other minimally-invasive treatments for calcified lumbar discs, it is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of the percutaneous intervertebral foramen lens technology for secondary molding of the intervertebral foramen in the treatment of calcified lumbar discs.
Methods:
The study included 50 patients aged (mean ± standard deviation) 49.9 ± 14.5 years, 30 (60%) females, who were diagnosed with calcified lumbar disc herniation by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Patients underwent a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy surgery in our hospital from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. Demographic characteristics before the surgery and perioperative outcomes were retrospective reviewed. The treatment outcome was analyzed using the visual analog scale (VAS) score, the Oswestry Disability Index score, and modified Macnab criteria.
Results:
We evaluated those patients who showed significant improvement in both the VAS and ODI scores after the surgery and maintained relatively low ODI and VAS scores during subsequent follow-ups. Ninety-four percent of patients rated the results as "excellent" or "good" according to the modified Macnab criteria at the 3-month follow-up. One patient developed neck pain during the surgery, which was diagnosed as spinal hypertension syndrome, and the surgery was suspended until the patient improved. No patient had a dural leak, infection, or other related complications.
Conclusions:
Our results indicate that transforaminal remolding is effective in the treatment of calcified lumbar disc herniations, with few intraoperative and postoperative complications.Our results indicate that secondary reconstruction of the intervertebral foramen under visual conditions using microscopic knife is an effective method for treating calcified lumbar disc herniation, with few intraoperative and postoperative complications.