The Far Lateral Approach of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery for the Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis

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Kang-Jun Yoon, Chul-Woo Lee and Yoon-Gyo Jung

St. Peter’s Hospital, South Korea

: J Spine Neurosurg

Abstract

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Objective: The purpose of this study is to report clinical and radiological outcomes of the far lateral approach of unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) spinal surgery as an advanced endoscopic technique for foraminal decompression while minimizing violation of articulating fact joint in patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis. Material-Method: The clinical and radiological data at preoperative and postoperative 6 months follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical outcome was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The radiological outcome was assessed using segmental range of motion on flexion-extension images of lumbar plain radiograph. Result: This study included 50 cases of lumbar foraminal spinal stenosis patients who underwent the far lateral approach of UBE spine surgery. The mean operation time was 38.34±20.36 minutes per level (range from 20 to 85). The mean preoperative VAS score decreases significantly from 4.6 ± 2.2 to 1.52 ± 0.97 at postoperative 6 months follow-up (P< 0.05). There were no severe complications such as infections, dura tears, postoperative neurologic deficits. There was no postoperative segmental instability on radiologic evaluation. Conclusions: This study demonstrated satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes after 6 months follow-up of the far lateral approach of UBE spine surgery for the lumbar foraminal stenosis. This technique is a useful endoscopic technique for the lumbar foraminal decompression while minimizing violation of articulating facet joint.
Recent Publications 1. Lee, Chul-Woo, and Kang-Jun Yoon. “Technical Considerations in Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression.” World neurosurgery vol. 145 (2021): 663-669. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2020.07.065
2. Lee, Chul-Woo et al. “Comparative Analysis between Three Different Lumbar Decompression Techniques (Microscopic, Tubular, and Endoscopic) in Lumbar Canal and Lateral Recess Stenosis: Preliminary Report.” BioMed research international vol. 2019 6078469. 24 Mar. 2019, doi:10.1155/2019/6078469
3. Lee, Chul-Woo et al. “Percutaneous Endoscopic Laminotomy with Flavectomy by Uniportal, Unilateral Approach for the Lumbar Canal or Lateral Recess Stenosis.” World neurosurgery vol. 113 (2018): e129-e137. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2018.01.195

Biography

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Kang-Jun Yoon is the Chief of Surgery and Executive Director of St. Peter’s Hospital, South Korea and have more than 30 years of experience in the medical field since 1984. He has performed more than 20,000 Number of operations. His major areas of surgery include Spine/spinal cord operation/surgery (total disc replacement, lateral interbody fusion, microvascular decompression, filum terminale surgery, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, single-port foraminotomy, etc.). He is involved in many academic society activities and attended many Conferences & presentations.