Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of conventional and biportal endoscopic decompressive laminectomy in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (ENDO-B trial): a protocol for a prospective, randomized, assessor-blind, multicenter trial

Background Recent studies on biportal endoscopic spine surgery in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis have reported good clinical results. However, these studies have been limited by the small sample sizes and use of a retrospective study design. Therefore, we aim to compare the efficacy and safety of biportal endoscopic decompressive laminectomy with those of conventional decompressive laminectomy in a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial. Methods This study will include 120 patients (60 per group, aged 20–80 years) with 1- or 2-level lumbar spinal stenosis, who will be recruited from six hospitals. The study will be conducted from July 2021 to December 2024. The primary outcome (Oswestry Disability Index at 12 months after surgery) will be evaluated through a modified intention-to-treat method. The secondary outcomes will include the following: visual analog scale score for low back and lower extremity radiating pain, EuroQol 5-dimensions score, surgery satisfaction, walking time, postoperative return to daily life period, postoperative surgical scars, and some surgery-related variables. Radiographic outcomes will be analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. All outcomes will be evaluated before the surgery and at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. This protocol adheres to the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines for reporting of clinical trial protocols. Discussion It is hypothesized that the efficacy and safety of biportal endoscopic and conventional decompressive laminectomy will be comparable in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. The results of this trial will provide a high level of evidence for the efficacy and safety of the biportal endoscopic technique in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and facilitate the development of clinical practice guidelines. Furthermore, the results of this study may indicate the feasibility of the biportal endoscopic technique for other types of spinal surgery. Trial registration The ENDO-B trial is registered at Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS, cris.nih.go.kr) (KCT0006057; April 52,021).

Application of Polymer Clip to Ligate the Distal Ureter in Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Radical Nephroureterectomy

Purpose：Distal ureter management in radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is challenging. Methods: This study describes a simple endoscopic clip technique with polymer clip ligation for the management of the distal ureter during retroperitoneal laparoscopic RNU. This endoscopic technique was used in 14 patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Transurethral resection of the bladder cuff was performed using a bipolar β electrode (mounted on resectoscope). Subsequently, a Super Scope (S-scope) with a 5-mm-diameter dual working channel was used with clip applier to deliver the polymer clips, which consequently ligated the ureteral stump and avoided urine spillage from the upper tract. Results: Distal ureter was managed successfully in all 14 cases using polymer clip, without any cases of urine spillage. Conclusions: Therefore, polymer clip ligation technique provides a simple and safe option for distal ureter management in retroperitoneal laparoscopic RNU.

EndoTech® minimally invasive trigger thumb release

We describe a novel minimally invasive technique for the treatment of trigger thumb. 37 patients with a total of 41 thumbs were included in the study. A visual analogue pain scale was used before surgery and also at 2 week and 6 month follow up visits. The pain was significantly improved from a pre op of 7.92 (+/- 1.6) to .65 (+/- .8) at the 2 week follow up and finally .29 (+/- 1.8) at the 6 month follow up. All of the patients had relief of triggering and only 1 patient required any therapy. This endoscopic technique for trigger thumb allows the surgeon to perform a trigger release with a minimal incision and provides excellent relief without any complications.

Simultaneous Endoscopic and Microscopic Visualization in Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm

BACKGROUND Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a socially limiting condition leading to decreased quality of life that can be treated with microvascular decompression (MVD). Endoscopy has been described as an adjunct to traditional microscopy for MVD, although the best visualization technique is debated. OBJECTIVE To review the current literature on use of endoscopy in MVD for HFS and to describe the simultaneous microscopic and endoscopic visualization technique along with a video illustration. METHODS Patients who underwent MVD for HFS were retrospectively reviewed from January 2011 to December 2019. The first set of patients in the series were done using traditional endoscopic assisted visualization, followed by a change in technique in the subsequent patients using the simultaneous endoscopic technique. The surgical technique is described as well as illustrated with a video. RESULTS In total, 21 patients underwent 24 MVDs to treat HFS. The simultaneous endoscopic/microscopic technique was used in 48% of cases for visualization. All but one patient had resolution of their symptoms immediately after the procedure. In total, 7 patients had recurrence of HFS, with 4 (17%) resolving spontaneously and 3 (13%) ultimately undergoing redo MVD. Postoperatively 7 patients (29%) had transient complications that all resolved completely. There was no significant difference between the traditional alternating microscopic and endoscopic technique with the simultaneous endoscopic microscopic technique. CONCLUSION Endoscopic assistance during MVD for HFS is beneficial and may be streamlined by using the simultaneous microscope and endoscope visualization technique.

Combined Exoscopic and Endoscopic Technique for Craniofacial Resection

We determined the feasibility of the combined exoscopic-endoscopic technique (CEE) as an alternative to the microscope in craniofacial resection (CFR). This retrospective study was conducted at a single institution and included eight consecutive patients with head and neck tumors who underwent CFR between September 2019 and July 2021. During the transcranial approach, microsurgery was performed using an exoscope in the same manner as in traditional microscopic surgery, and an endoscope was used at the blind spot of the exoscope. The exoscope provided images of sufficient quality to perform microsurgery, while the sphenoid sinus lumen was the blind spot of the exoscope during anterior (n = 3) and anterolateral CFR (n = 2), and the medial aspect of the temporal bone was the blind spot of the exoscope during temporal bone resection (n = 2). These blind spots were visualized by the endoscope to facilitate accurate transection of the skull base. The advantages of the exoscope and endoscope include compact size, ergonomics, surgical field accessibility, and equal visual experience for neurosurgeons and head and neck surgeons, which enabled simultaneous transcranial and transfacial surgical procedures. All the surgeries were successful without any relevant complications. CEE is effective in transcranial skull base surgery, especially CFR involving simultaneous surgical procedures.

Efficacy of Different Modalities of Treatment in Management of Different Types of Fungal Sinusits

Background Fungal sinusitis is generally classified into invasive and non invasive fungal sinusitis based on histological features, invasive fungal sinusitis divided into acute, chronic and chronic granulomatous invasive fungal sinusitis. While non invasive fungal sinusitis include saprophytic fungal infestation, fungal ball, and fungus-related eosinophilic. Distinguishing invasive disease from noninvasive disease is important because the treatment and prognosis are different for each. AIM A systemic review of effective and safe method in management of different types of fungal sinusitis either by medical or surgical approaches or even combined. Be up to date with the different upcoming new modalities. Methodology A meta-analysis study is done to evaluate the medical and surgical outcomes of patients with invasive and noninvasive Fungal Sinusits. Results Finally, forty-five studies were included in the present systematic review and metaanalysis. Fifteen included studies (No = 539 patients) assessed different modalities for management of fungal ball, via classic endoscopic technique, Canine-fossa approach, gauze technique and osteoplastic approach for FB of the maxillary sinus. The results showed that functional endoscopic sinus surgery has led to success rate of 98.1%. Twenty included studies (No = 806 patients) have assessed the efficacy and safety of different modalities for the management of allergic fungal sinusitis via,Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Post-ESS Systemic steroids, Antifungals and immunotherapy. The results showed that ESS represents the firstline management strategy of AFRS, followed by aggressive medical therapies, the recurrence rate after postoperative steroids was 20.6%, postoperative antifungals was 40% and after immunotherapy was 9.1%. Ten studies (No = 327 patients) for Invasive Fungal Sinusitis.the results showed that combination of systematic antifungal therapy and aggressive surgical debridement are the treatment of choice. Conclusion FESS is the treatment of choice of fungal ball via classic endoscopic technique, Canine-fossa approach, gauze technique and osteoplastic approach. AFS treatment consists of surgical extirpation of the allergic mucin and polyps with maintenance of adequate sinus drainage followed by medical therapy consists of topical steroids, anti fungal therapy, Immunotherapy, and systemic corticosteroids. Treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis includes surgical resection of necrotic tissues, systemic antifungal therapy and reversal of immune dysfunction.