Endoscopic interlaminar lumbar discectomy with splitting of ligamentum flavum

Wang Long; Chu Ge; Zhang Hong-qi; Guo Chao-feng; Tang Ming-xing; Gao Qi-le; Qiao Wei-min; Yan Tao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.35.008

Abstract： BACKGROUND:Transforaminal endoscopic discectomy needs to dissociate the ligamentum flavum, and if combined with the continuous dilator and working channel, it can keep the intact ligamentum flavum no matter how smal the incision may be (even 3-5 mm). OBJECTIVE:To present the technique of interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy with ligamentum flavum splitting. METHODS:We performed operations on 16 male and 14 female patients by interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy with ligamentum flavum splitting. The average age of the patients in the study was (48±15) years. The chief complaint before surgery was radiculopathy confined to one leg. The anatomic operative level was L 3-4 in one case, L 4-5 in 13 cases and L 5-S 1 in 16 cases. The ruptured disc migrated superiorly in four cases and inferiorly in seven cases, and intraoperative electromyo-graphic monitoring was performed in al surgeries. The ligamentum flavum was split, and after withdrawing the working channel, the ligamentum flavum could reset itself. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The total operation time was 20-40 minutes, and the fol ow-up period was (149±108) days. There were no abnormal signals on the intraoperative electromyography in any cases, and the reported symptoms were immediately improved in al patients after the operation. Fol ow-up magneticresonance imaging showed a disappearance of the ruptured disc without defect in the ligamentum flavum. There were no operation-associated complications in al the patients. Interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy with ligamentum flavum splitting is a feasible approach.