Pathomechanism of Lower-level Discogenic Groin Pain and Clinical Outcomes of Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy for the Treatment of Discogenic Groin Pain.

Background: Groin pain can be induced by high-level (L1-L2 or L2-L3) lumbar disc herniation. However, 4.1% of patients with lower-level (L4-L5 or L5-S1) lumbar disc herniation also complained of groin pain.

Surgical Techniques Ensuring Success in Posterior Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy and Discectomy at C6-7 in Patients with Prominent Shoulders and Short Necks.

Introduction: There is a steep learning curve for a successful posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy and discectomy (PECFD), an important surgery for cervical foraminal or lateral disc herniation, and cervical radiculopathy due to a small operation field. PECFD becomes even more challenging in patients who have prominent shoulders and/or short necks with C6-7-disc herniation, because of the difficulty to localize C6-7 vertebral structure under fluoroscopy. The study objective is to prove that the PECFD can be performed safely and successfully to C6-7-disc herniation on patients with prominent shoulders and/or short necks following our novel surgical techniques under fluoroscopic guidance.

Can the Novel LumboIliac Triangle Technique Based on Biplane Oblique Fluoroscopy Facilitate Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Patients with L5-S1 Disc Herniation Combined with High Iliac Crest? Case-Control Study of 100 Patients.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) via the transforaminal approach is difficult at L5-S1 in patients presenting with high iliac crests (HIC). The conventional wisdom is that measurement using lumbar radiography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is necessary.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to introduce a lumbo-iliac triangular (LI-Tri) technique based on biplane oblique fluoroscopy and verify whether it facilitated transforaminal PELD for patients with L5-S1 lumbar disc herniation (LDH) combined with HIC.

[Clinical study of single-level cervical disc herniation treated by full-endoscopic decompression via anterior transcorporeal approach].

Objective: To investigate the clinical feasibility of full-endoscopic decompression for the treatment of single-level cervical disc herniation via anterior transcorporeal approach.

Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 patients with cervical disc herniation who received full-endoscopic decompression via anterior transcorporeal approach between September 2014 and March 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 9 females with an age ranged from 32 to 65 years, with an average of 48.

Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression for Isthmic Spondylolisthesis: Technique Description and Clinical Outcome.

Objectives: To describe a transforaminal endoscopic spinal decompression technique for treating adult patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis and report preliminary surgical and radiological results.

Background: Spondylolisthesis is prevalent in the general population. Surgical approaches for symptomatic spondylolisthesis that is refractory to conservative treatment vary.

Cocktail Treatment with a Gelatin Sponge Impregnated with Ropivacaine, Dexamethasone, and Vitamin B12 Promotes Early Postoperative Recovery after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Retrospective, Case-Controlled Study.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) can only relieve mechanical compression but cannot directly reduce the inflammatory reaction of the adjacent nerve root, which contributes to persistent pain and physical disabilities postoperatively. Numerous studies have explored the application of epidural steroids after an open lumbar discectomy in relieving pain by reducing local inflammatory reactions and further peridural scar formation.

Objectives: To explore that whether "cocktail treatment" in which a gelatin sponge was impregnated with ropivacaine, dexamethasone, and vitamin B12 promoted early postoperative recovery after PELD.

Regional variations in acceptance, and utilization of minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques among spine surgeons: results of a global survey.

Background: Regional differences in acceptance and utilization of MISST by spine surgeons may have an impact on clinical decision-making and the surgical treatment of common degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine. The purpose of this study was to analyze the acceptance and utilization of various minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques (MISST) by spinal surgeons the world over.

Methods: The authors solicited responses to an online survey sent to spine surgeons by email, and chat groups in social media networks including Facebook, WeChat, WhatsApp, and Linkedin.

Surgeon motivation, and obstacles to the implementation of minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the motivators and obstacles to the implementation of minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques (MISST) by spinal surgeons. Motivators and detractors may impact the availability of MISST to patients and drive spine surgeons' clinical decision-making in the treatment of common degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine.

Methods: The authors solicited responses to an online survey sent to spine surgeons by email, and chat groups in social media networks including Facebook, WeChat, WhatsApp, and Linkedin.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Interlaminar Lumbar Discectomy with Local Anesthesia for L5-S1 Disc Herniation: A Feasibility Study.

Background: General anesthesia (GA), which is routinely applied in patients who undergo percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar lumbar discectomy (PEILD) of L5-S1 disc herniation, is closely associated with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in the elderly. Local anesthesia (LA) is an alternative pain control protocol that has not yet been fully evaluated.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of LA in PEILD compared with GA.

Management of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: Analysis of a Questionnaire Study, Correlation With a National Sample, and Perioperative Outcomes of Treatment Options.

Background: Surgical treatment for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis has been shown to provide better long-term outcomes than conservative treatment. However, there is variation in surgical approaches employed by surgeons. This study investigates current surgical practice patterns and compares perioperative outcomes of 3 common surgical treatments for this pathology.

Posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy through lamina-hole approach for cervical intervertebral disc herniation.

Background: The optimal PECD surgical approach for cervical intervertebral disc herniation (CIVDH) remains controversial. The conventional posterior K-hole approach for PECD leads to damage of facet joint.

Objectives: This article is to first describe a novel posterior lamina-hole approach of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD) for CIVDH.

Endoscopic transforaminal thoracic foraminotomy and discectomy for the treatment of thoracic disc herniation.

Thoracic disc herniation is a relatively rare yet challenging-to-diagnose condition. Currently there is no universally accepted optimal surgical treatment for symptomatic thoracic disc herniation. Previously reported surgical approaches are often associated with high complication rates.