Minimally invasive trans-superior articular process percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy with robot assistance

• Published in: BMC musculoskeletal disorders Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 1144 - 8
• Main Authors: Wang, Zongjiang, Tan, Ying, Fu, Kai, Meng, Zhaowu, Wang, Liang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 31.12.2022; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Discectomy; Diskectomy - methods; Diskectomy, Percutaneous - methods; Endoscopic spinal surgery; Endoscopy; Endoscopy - adverse effects; Endoscopy - methods; Hernia; Humans; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - diagnostic imaging; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - surgery; Intervertebral disk; Intervertebral disk displacement; Lumbar Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery; Methods; Minimally invasive spinal surgery; Pain - surgery; Patient outcomes; Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy; Retrospective Studies; Robot-assisted surgery; Robotic surgery; Robotics; Treatment Outcome; China; Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy; Robot-assisted surgery; Endoscopic spinal surgery; Minimally invasive spinal surgery
• ISSN: 1471-2474; 1471-2474
• DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-06060-8

To compare the clinical outcomes of patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with robot-assisted percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (r-PELD) or conventional PELD under fluoroscopy guidance (f-PELD). Our study group included 55 patients, 22 in the r-PELD group and 33 in the f-PELD group. The following clinical and surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups: the visual analog scale for radiculopathy pain; Oswestry Disability Index; intraoperative volume of blood loss; frequency of fluoroscopy used during the procedure; and MacNab classification. The follow-up period was 6-8 months. Compared with f-PELD, r-PELD was associated with a lower volume of intraoperative blood loss and frequency of fluoroscopy (p < 0.01). There were no differences in complications, MacNab classification, postoperative disability and leg pain, and duration of hospitalization between the two groups. Based on our findings, r-PELD provides a safe and effective alternative to conventional PELD for the treatment of lumbar disc herniations, with the accuracy for placement of punctures lowering radiation exposure.