Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression versus Open Decompression and Fusion Surgery for the Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study

Figures & data

Figure 1 Unilateral laminotomy bilateral decompression via the posterior approach (schematic). The sequence of bony decompression was the ipsilateral lower lamina, upper spinous, contralateral lower lamina, ipsilateral lateral recess, lower spinous, and contralateral lateral recess.

Figure 2 Sufficient neural decompression of full-endoscopic unilateral laminotomy bilateral decompression of L4/5. (A) Intraoperative endoscopic view of the dorsal side of neural decompression. (B) Intraoperative endoscopic view of the ventral side of neural decompression. (C) Postoperative CT (axial). (D) Postoperative CT (sagittal).

Table 1 Baseline Data in 2 Groups

	Endoscopy Group	Open Group	Test Value	P value
n	177	181
Age(yrs)	65.47±9.26	64.18±10.24	1.257	0.210
Male/Female	103/74	100/81	0.316	0.575
Duration of disease(mo)	52.63±61.07	53.78±67.26	0.170	0.865
Follow-up period(mo)	38.63±11.88	38.56±12.29	0.056	0.210
Level			1.479	0.139
L1/L2	0	3
L2/L3	4	6
L3/L4	25	6
L4/L5	115	129
L5/S1	33	37
Follow-up rate	85.51%	87.44%	0.330	0.565

Note: Significance difference (p<0.05).

Abbreviations: Endoscopy group, full-endoscopic lumbar decompression; Open group, open decompression and fusion; yrs, years; mo, months.

Table 2 Surgical Outcomes in 2 Groups

	FELD Group	Open Group	Test Value	P value
Operative time(min)	84.12±29.91	112.08±32.18	8.512	P<0.001
Blood loss(mL)	7.97±4.98	279.67±151.58	24.101	P<0.001
Postoperative hospital stay(d)	2.68±1.41	4.78±1.60	13.187	P<0.001
Complication	26(14.69%)	22(12.15%)	0.495	0.482
Re-operation	19(10.73%)	17(9.39%)	0.178	0.673

Note: Significance difference (p<0.05).

Abbreviations: FELD group, full-endoscopic lumbar decompression; Open group, open decompression and fusion; d, day; min, minute; mL, milliliter.

Figure 3 Clinical outcomes in the two groups. (A) VAS score (leg pain). (B) VAS score (back pain). (C) ODI was improved significantly in both groups. (D) Modified MacNab criteria of the two groups.

Abbreviations: Endo, FELDS group; Open, open group; Pre OP, preoperatively; d, daypostoperatively; m, month postoperatively; FU, follow-up.