2023 Volume 14 Issue 8 Pages 1138-1143
The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate the effects and complications of DPEL scope.
Fifty patients were included in this study group. Forty patients suffered from lumbar spinal canal stenosis, and the other 10 suffered from large extruded lumbar intervertebral disc herniation which migrated cranially or caudally. Follow-up period was 12.1 (2-36) months after operation.
JOA score was 14.6 (5-19) points preoperatively and improved to 26.5 (19-29) points at the final follow up (P<0.0001). Improvement ratio was 82.6%. Complications occurred in 4 patients (8%) who had bilateral decompression surgery for spinal canal stenosis. Injury of a nerve root in the opposite side occurred in one patient who had extensive removal of the yellow ligament, which recovered within one year after operation. Dural tear occurred in the other three patients during removal of the yellow ligament. Dural tears in these 3 patients were treated by using 2-3 layers of combination of PGA (Polyglycolic acid) sheet with free fat tissue graft. This technique was effective in 2 patients. They did not complain of symptom of cerebrospinal fluid leakage and discharged from hospital as scheduled.
DPEL scope was effective for laminectomy of lumbar spinal canal stenosis and large lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. However, dural tear occurred during removal of the yellow ligament in three patients (6%).
