Introduction Full-endoscopic operations of lumbar spine are truly minimally invasive surgical
procedures. Endoscopic techniques have become the standard in many areas because of
the advantages they offer intraoperatively and after surgery. With the interlaminar
and transforaminal approach, two full-endoscopic procedures are available for lumbar
compressive lesion operations.
Aim To present and explain all aspects of the full-endoscopic operative technique and
presentation of results of lumbar discectomies and monosegmental decompression in
full-endoscopic interlaminar technique in comparison with conventional microsurgical
operations performed during 3-year period.
Material and Methods A series of 372 patients underwent full-endoscopic interlaminar lumbar discectomy
and 43 patients with full-endoscopic interlaminar decompression for monosegmental
spinal canal stenosis comparing 280 patients with microdiscectomy and spinal canal
decompression, during a 3-year period, is analyzed. In addition to general and specific
parameters, VAS and ODI scale are used as a measuring instrument.
Results In the full-endoscopic group, 88% of the patients no longer had leg pain, and 9%
had only occasional pain, postoperatively. No serious surgical complications were
observed. In three patients, minor nerve damage resulted in transient paresthesias,
and in three patients transient liquorrhea is observed. The recurrence rate was 5.8%.
Resection of the herniated disc and sufficient decompression was technically possible
in all cases. The full-endoscopic technique brought significant advantages in the
following areas: back pain, rehabilitation, complications, and traumatization.
Conclusion The clinical results of the full-endoscopic technique are superior to those of the
conventional microsurgical discectomy with advantages such as reduced traumatization,
improved patient mobility, and back pain minimization. With the possibility of selecting
the most adequate approach, lumbar disc herniations inside and outside the spinal
canal, and other monosegmental compressive lesions, can be sufficiently removed using
the full-endoscopic technique, when taking the appropriate indication criteria into
account.
Keywords full-endoscopic discectomy; interlaminar decompression; microdiscectomy; monosegmental
stenosis
