Full-Endoscopic Decompression with the Application of an Endoscopic-Matched Ultrasonic Osteotome for Removal of Ossification of the Thoracic Ligamentum Flavum.
BACKGROUND
Resection of the ossification of the thoracic ligamentum flavum (OTLF) with a high-speed burr may cause a high rate of perioperative complications, such as dural laceration and/or iatrogenic spinal cord injury.


OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of the endoscopic-matched ultrasonic osteotome in full-endoscopic spinal surgery for direct removal of OTLF.


STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective study.


SETTING
All data were from Honghui Hospital in Xi'an.


METHODS
This study conducted between December 2017 and December 2018, included 27 consecutive patients who met the study criteria, had single-level OTLF, and underwent full-endoscopic decompression under local anesthesia. The postoperative follow-up was scheduled at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Outcomes evaluations included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score for lower extremity pain and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score and improvement rate for the assessment of thoracic myelopathy. Removal of OTLF was measured by comparing the pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.


RESULTS
The operation was completed in all patients without conversion to open surgery. The operation time ranged from 65 to 125 minutes (average, 83.7 ± 12.3 minutes). All patients were followed up for 12 to 18 months, with an average follow-up of 14.3 ± 1.3 months. Satisfactory neurologic decompression was confirmed by postoperative CT and MRI, and no revision surgery was required. The VAS and mJOA scores showed statistically higher improvement at the 1-month follow-up and the last follow-up compared with the preoperative assessment (P < 0.05). According to the improvement rate at the final follow-up, 20 cases were classified as good, 6 cases were fair, and 1 case remained unchanged.


LIMITATIONS
A single-center, noncontrol study.


CONCLUSIONS
The endoscopic-matched ultrasonic osteotome can be considered quite safe and feasible for direct removal of OTLF during full-endoscopic spinal surgery in strictly selected patients, as this allows for effective direct decompression of OTLF while minimizing trauma and instability. In addition, because of the design characteristics of the ultrasonic osteotome, surgical complications, especially dural tears and spinal cord injury, can also be effectively controlled.
['Yang|Jun-Song|JS|', 'Gong|Han-Lin|HL|', 'Chen|Hao|H|', 'Wei|Jian-Min|JM|', 'Chen|Chien-Min|CM|', 'Gao|Zi-Jun|ZJ|', 'Zhang|Zi-Long|ZL|', 'Hao|Ding-Jun|DJ|', 'Zhao|Yuan-Ting|YT|', 'Chu|Lei|L|']
D019299:Decompression, Surgical D006801:Humans D017843:Ligamentum Flavum D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic D010012:Osteogenesis D012189:Retrospective Studies D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae D016896:Treatment Outcome D014465:Ultrasonics
ultrasonic osteotome thoracic myelopathy microsurgery minimally invasive procedures ossification of thoracic ligamentum flavum Percutaneous endoscopic spinal surgery