Decompression for cervical disc herniation using the full-endoscopic anterior technique

Surgical Technique of Central and Over-the-Top Full-Endoscopic Decompression of the Cervical Spine: A Technical Note

Endoscopic surgery of the cervical spine is constantly evolving and the spectrum of its indications has expanded in recent decades. Full-endoscopic techniques have standardized the procedures for posterior and anterior access. The full-endoscopic approach was developed to treat degenerative diseases with the least possible invasion and without causing instability of the cervical spine. The posterior full-endoscopic approach is indicated for the treatment of diseases of the lateral part of the vertebral segment, such as herniations and stenoses of the lateral recess and vertebral foramen. There has been little discussion of this approach to the treatment of central stenosis of the cervical spine. This technical note describes a step-by-step surgical technique for central and over-the-top full-endoscopic decompression in the cervical spine, using a 3.7 mm working channel endoscope. This technique has already been shown to be effective in a recent case series with a 4.7 mm working channel endoscope, and may represent a new treatment option for central or bilateral lateral recess stenosis. There is also the possibility of a bilateral full-endoscopic approach, but this may be associated with greater muscle damage and a longer operative time. Case series and comparative studies should be encouraged to confirm the safety and utility of this technique.

Current Status and research hotspots in the field of full endoscopic spine surgery: A bibliometric analysis

Purpose

We aimed to comprehensively analyze the current status, hotspots, and trends in full endoscopic spine surgery (FESS) research using bibliometric analysis and knowledge domain mapping.

Methods

The Web of Science database was used to screen FESS-related articles published between January 1, 1993 and June 10, 2022. The evaluation involved the following criteria: total number of articles; H-index; and contributions from countries/regions, institutions, journals, and authors.

Results

A total of 1,064 articles were included. Since 2016, there have been a significant number of publications in the field of FESS. The country/region contributing the largest number of articles was China (37.8%), followed by South Korea (24%), the United States (16.1%), Japan (5.7%), and Germany (5.1%). South Korea (35) had the highest H-index, followed by the United States (27), China (22), Japan (21), and Germany (20). World Neurosurgery (15.7%) published the largest number of FESS-related articles. However, among the top 10 most cited articles, six were published in Spine. The author who contributed the most was S.H. Lee (5.4%), and the largest number of contributions in this field originated from Wooridul Spine Hospital (South Korea; 6.1%). Notably, six of the 10 most published authors in this field were from South Korea. Of the top five productive institutions, three were from South Korea. The keywords with the strongest citation bursts in the field of FESS were “lumbar spine,” “discectomy,” “interlaminar,” “surgical technique,” “follow-up,” “excision,” “thoracic spine,” and “endoscopic surgery.” The 10 clusters generated in this study were: “endoscopic discectomy” (#0), “thoracic myelopathy” (#1), “recurrent lumbar disc herniation” (#2), “low back pain” (#3), “cervical vertebrae” (#4), “lumbar spinal stenosis” (#5), “transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion” (#6), “radiation exposure” (#7), “management” (#8), and “lumbar spine” (#9).

Conclusion

Global research on FESS is mostly concentrated in a few countries/regions and authors. South Korea has made the largest contribution to the field of FESS. Based on the most cited keyword bursts and clusters, the focus of FESS research was found to include its indications, management, and applications.

A Review of Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Decompression for Radiculopathy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With this manuscript the authors sought to write a succinct review of the origins, as well as the latest advancements in endoscopic spine surgery to serve as a reference frame for physicians looking to learn this approach.

RECENT FINDINGS

At its infancy, the indications for posterolateral and transforaminal endoscopic decompression remained narrow, which prevented the procedure from gaining rapid traction during those days. However, more recently the tides have turned and an increasing number of surgeons are starting to adopt this technique given all its advantages. With the advent of higher quality camera systems and instruments, indications to use a minimally invasive option have gotten significantly broader. The most basic indication for the use of this technology is a soft disc herniation causing compromise of a neural structure that has failed to be managed successfully with non-surgical therapies. The use of endoscopic techniques provides significant advantages to patient outcomes and patient recovery. Endoscopic procedures should not be used as a blanket approach to nerve root decompression, as they certainly have limitations. Most contraindications to this procedure are relative and serve mostly as points to consider when selecting the methods to address neural compression. As these techniques become more widely accepted, we expect its reach and indications to continue to broaden and diversify. The full integration of navigation technologies will likely leapfrog this procedure into the mainstream use.

Patient selection criteria for percutaneous anterior cervical laser versus endoscopic discectomy

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous anterior laser and anterior endoscopic cervical spine surgery are associated with less approach trauma than conventional open cervical spine surgery. The literature illustrating their appropriate use corroborated with objective outcome evidence is scarce. The authors were interested in comparing the clinical outcomes following percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) versus percutaneous endoscopic disc decompression (PEDD). © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients with soft contained symptomatic cervical disc herniations and an average age of 50.5 years (range 26 - 68 years; 16 males and 14 females) were prospectively enrolled in 2 groups of 15 patients to be either treated with PLDD or PEDD. All patients underwent PLDD or PEDD under local anesthesia and sedation. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Macnab criteria VAS score for arm pain. Complications and reoperations were recorded.

RESULTS

There were significant reductions in the VAS score for arm pain from preoperative 8.4 ± 2.5 to 3.1 ± 1.2 in the PLDD group (P < 0.03), and from preoperative 8.6 ± 2.7 to 2.4 ± 1.1 (P < 0.01) in the PEDD group. In the PLDD group, Macnab outcomes were excellent in 21% of patients, good in 44%, fair in 21%, and poor in 14%. In the PEDD group, Macnab outcomes were excellent in 14% of patients, good in 32%, fair in 12%, and poor in the remaining 12%. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes between the PLDD and the PEDD group. There were no approach-related or surgical complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Tissue trauma is significantly reduced with laser and endoscopic surgery techniques. PLDD and PEDD are both suitable for the specific indication of soft, symptomatic contained cervical disc herniations. The authors' small prospective cohort study indicates that PLDD and PEDD are options for cervical decompression surgery when medical comorbidities or preferences by patients and surgeons dictate more minimally invasive strategies.