Posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical foraminotomy and discectomy for degenerative cervical radiculopathy using intraoperative O-arm imaging

Complications and Management of Endoscopic Spinal Surgery

In the past, the use of endoscopic spine surgery was limited to intervertebral discectomy; however, it has recently become possible to treat various spinal degenerative diseases, such as spinal stenosis and foraminal stenosis, and the treatment range has also expanded from the lumbar spine to the cervical and thoracic regions. However, as endoscopic spine surgery develops and its indications widen, more diverse and advanced surgical techniques are being introduced, and the complications of endoscopic spine surgery are also increasing accordingly. We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE databases to identify articles on endoscopic spinal surgery, and key words were set as “endoscopic spinal surgery,” “endoscopic cervical foramoinotomy,” “PECD,” “percutaneous transforaminal discectomy,” “percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy,” “PELD,” “PETD,” “PEID,” “YESS” and “TESSYS.” We analyzed the evidence level and classified the prescribed complications according to the literature. Endoscopic lumbar surgery was divided into full endoscopic interlaminar and transforaminal approaches and a unilateral biportal approach. We performed a comprehensive review of available literature on complications of endoscopic spinal surgery. This study particularly focused on the prevention of complications. Regardless of the surgical methods, the most common complications related to endoscopic spinal surgery include dural tears and perioperative hematoma. transient dysesthesia, nerve root injury and recurrence. However, Endoscopic spinal surgery, including full endoscopic transforaminal and interlaminar and unilateral biportal approaches, is a safe and effective a treatment for lumbar as well as cervical and thoracic spinal diseases such as disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis and recurrent disc herniation.

Global Trends and Hotspots in Endoscopic Discectomy: A Study Based on Bibliometric Analysis

OBJECTIVE

With the advancement of minimally invasive spine surgery, endoscopic discectomy (ED) has become a common technique for degenerative disease of the spine. The present study aimed to explore the knowledge structure, emerging trends, and future research hotspots in this field.

METHODS

All relevant publications on ED from 2002 to 2021 were extracted from the Web of Science databases. Key bibliometric indicators, including countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords were calculated and evaluated using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software.

RESULTS

A total of 1,196 articles and reviews were included for analysis. The number of publications regarding ED increased yearly. From the quality and quantity viewpoint, China, South Korea, and the United States were the major contributors in this field. The most influential institution in the field of ED was Wooridul Spine Hospital. We identified 3,488 authors, among which Lee SH had the most significant number of papers, and Ruetten S was cocited most often. <World Neurosurgery was the journal with the most papers, and Spine was the most commonly cocited journal. Keywords were stratified into 4 clusters by VOSviewer software: cluster 1 (clinical outcomes of ED in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation); cluster 2 (surgical technique of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy); cluster 3 (clinical outcomes of ED in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis); and cluster 4 (clinical outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy). Several topics including lateral recess stenosis, spinal stenosis, and reoperation were considered as the next hotspot in ED research.

CONCLUSION

ED research has gained considerable attention over the last 2 decades. Our bibliometric findings illuminate the publication trends and research hotspots of the ED field, which may provide useful references for scholars and decision-makers interested in this field.

Efficacy and safety of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy for cervical disc herniation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Since there are currently no systematic evidence-based medical data on the efficacy and safety of PECD, this meta-analysis pooled data from studies that reported the efficacy or safety of PECD for cervical disc herniation to examine the efficacy, recurrence and safety of using PECD to treat cervical disc herniation.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases for studies published from inception to July 2022. Nine nonrandomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) that reported the efficacy or safety of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy for cervical disc herniation were included. We excluded duplicate publications, studies without full text, studies with incomplete information, studies that did not enable us to conduct data extraction, animal experiments and reviews. STATA 15.1 software was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

The proportions of excellent and good treatment results after PECD for CDH were 39% (95% CI: 31-48%) and 47% (95% CI: 34-59%), respectively. The pooled results showed that the VAS scores at 1 week post-operatively (SMD = -2.55, 95% CI: - 3.25 to - 1.85) and at the last follow-up (SMD = - 4.30, 95% CI: - 5.61 to - 3.00) after PECD for cervical disc herniation were significantly lower than the pre-operative scores. The recurrence rate of neck pain and the incidence of adverse events after PECD for cervical disc herniation were 3% (95% CI: 1-6%) and 5% (95% CI: 2-9%), respectively. Additionally, pooled results show that the operative time (SMD = - 3.22, 95% CI: - 5.21 to - 1.43) and hospital stay (SMD = - 1.75, 95% CI: - 2.67to - 0.84) were all significantly lower for PECD than for ACDF. The pooled results also showed that the proportion of excellent treatment results was significantly higher for PECD than for ACDF (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.06-4.96).

CONCLUSION

PECD has a high success rate in the treatment of CHD and can relieve neck pain, and the recurrence rate and the incidence of adverse events are low. In addition, compared with ACDF, PECD has a higher rate of excellent outcomes and a lower operative time and hospital stay. PECD may be a better option for treating CHD.

Comparison of Percutaneous Endoscopic Cervical Keyhole Foraminotomy versus Microscopic Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Single Level Unilateral Cervical Radiculopathy

Objective

To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between microscopic anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and percutaneous endoscopic cervical keyhole foraminotomy (PECF) for single level unilateral cervical radiculopathy.

Methods

A total of 127 patients (59 in PECF VS 68 in ACDF) were enrolled in this study from April 2016 to May 2018 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Clinical data including baseline data, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Visual Analogue Scale for neck and arm (VAS-n, VAS-a) were collected and compared. Radiological evaluation such as disc height, ROM of cervical, Cobb’s angle of cervical and Cobb’s angle of operated segment was measured by two experienced radiologists in twice.

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in the baseline data, and hospital stay was significantly decreased in PECF group than ACDF group (P < 0.001). PECF group did not yield superior better outcomes in NDI, VAS-a and VAS-n than ACDF group except at 1-month follow-up. As for radiological outcomes, PECF group has significantly better cervical motion, cervical angle and segmental angle than ADCF group at 12- and 24-month follow-up visit (P < 0.05); however, ACDF had shown better disc height restoration and maintenance than PECF (P < 0.05). More complications including surface hematoma and swallowing difficulty were occurred in ADCF group.

Conclusion

Percutaneous endoscopic cervical keyhole foraminotomy could be the alternative method for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in selective cases. However, the indication should be fulfilled, more studies need to be conducted to further testify the efficacy of PECF.

First clinical experience with a novel, mobile cone-beam CT system for treatment quality assurance in brachytherapy

Background and purpose

On-site cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has gained in importance in adaptive brachytherapy during recent years. Besides treatment planning, there is increased need particularly for image-guidance during interventional procedures and for image-guided treatment quality assurance (QA). For this purpose, an innovative CBCT device was rolled out at our hospital as the first site worldwide. We present the first clinical images and experiences.

Materials and methods

The novel CBCT system is constructed of a 121 cm diameter ring gantry, and features a 43.2 × 43.2 cm² flat-panel detector, wireless remote-control via tablet-PC, and battery-powered maneuverability. Within the first months of clinical operation, we performed CBCT-based treatment QA for a total of 26 patients (8 with breast, 16 with cervix, and 2 with vaginal cancer). CBCT scans were analyzed regarding potential movements of implanted applicators in-situ during the brachytherapy course.

Results

With the presented device, treatment QA was feasible for the majority of patients. The CBCT scans of breast patients showed sufficient contrast between implanted catheters and tissue. For gynecologic patients, a distinct visualization of applicators was achieved in general. However, reasonable differentiations of organic soft tissues were not feasible.

Conclusion

The CBCT system allowed basic treatment QA measures for breast and gynecologic patients. For image-guidance during interventional brachytherapy procedures, the current image quality is not adequate. Substantial performance enhancements are required for intraoperative image-guidance.

Bilateral translaminar osseous-channel assisted percutaneous full-endoscopic ligamentectomy decompression for thoracic myelopathy due to ossification of the ligamentum flavum: a technical note

Introduction

A variety of surgical procedures have been introduced to treat patients with thoracic myelopathy (TM) caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF). However, they are accompanied by significant trauma and risk, and their surgical outcomes are not always satisfactory.

Aim

To describe a bilateral translaminar osseous-channel assisted posterior percutaneous full-endoscopic ligamentectomy decompression (p-PELD) technique as a novel minimally invasive procedure for treating patients with TM due to OLF.

Material and methods

A 51-year-old female patient with persistent thoracolumbar back pain and progressive numbness in the bilateral lower extremities for 2 years underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for T11 osteoporotic compression fractures (OCF) in a regional hospital one week prior to hospitalization. TM caused by canal stenosis and dorsal spinal cord compression at T10/11 secondary to OLF and an OCF at T11 were diagnosed based on clinical presentations and radiologic examinations. After bilateral p-PELD for TM was performed at T10/11, the result was confirmed based on postoperative radiographic and clinical results.

Results

The bilateral OLF was completely removed by the p-PELD technique. No complications were encountered, and her symptoms were sufficiently improved after surgery. The VAS score was 6 points preoperatively and decreased to 0 points at the last follow-up (24 months). The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score improved from 2 points preoperatively to 10 points at the final follow-up.

Conclusions

As a minimally invasive technique, the bilateral translaminar osseous-channel assisted p-PELD procedure provided precise and sufficient decompression for the treatment of OLF-related TM.