Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2010; 53(4): 175-178
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1262814
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Complications of Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression Surgery

K. Sairyo1 , 2 , T. Sakai2 , K. Higashino2 , M. Inoue2 , N. Yasui2 , A. Dezawa1
  • 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Teikyo University Mizonokuchi Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
  • 2Department of Orthopedics, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
03 December 2010 (online)

Abstract

Background: Endoscopic lumbar decompression is useful for the treatment of various spinal conditions and is being performed in an increasing number of patients worldwide. We reviewed the surgery-related complications in patients who underwent endoscopic surgery and discuss the learning curve for this procedure.

Methods: Since the first case in August 2000, a total of 138 patients have undergone endoscopic posterior decompression surgery. Of these, there were 74 patients with Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP), 57 with Lumbar Canal Stenosis (LCS), and 7 with other conditions. From 2003 to 2005, the senior surgeon took a sabbatical, and no endoscopic surgery was conducted. We divided the cases based on the date of surgery: there were 62 patients in the early (E) group (before September 2003), and 76 in the late (L) group (from January 2006 to April 2008). We compared the incidence of surgery-related complications between 2 disease types as well as between the E and L groups.

Results: We encountered 11 complications, which included 6 dural tears, 2 post-surgical hematomas, 2 neural complications and 1 fracture of the inferior articular process. The incidence of surgery-related complications was 8.6%. The incidences of complications were 8.1% and 9.3% for HNP and LCS, respectively, and 11.3%, and 5.3% in the E and L groups, respectively. The incidence was particularly high (16.7%) in the E group with LCS.

Conclusion: There is a steep learning curve for endoscopic surgery. Based on the data, surgeons should start performing endoscopic techniques for LCS after gaining enough experience of endoscopic surgery for HNP.

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Correspondence

Prof. K. SairyoMD, PhD 

Department of Orthopedic

Surgery

Teikyo University

Mizonokuchi Hospital

Mizonokuchi Takatsu-ku 3-8-3

213-8507Kawasaki

Japan

Phone: +81/44/844 3333

Fax: +81/44/844 2470

Email: sairyokun@hotmail.com