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ObjectiveTo analyze and describe appropriate surgical indications for endoscopically performed transforaminal decompression with the outside-in technique with foraminoplasty in patients with lateral stenosis with and without herniated disc.Background and SignificanceEndoscopic microdiscectomy is growing in popularity for the removal of lumbar disc herniations. Recent advances in surgical techniques allow for percutaneous endoscopically assisted bony decompression as well.Materials and MethodsA retrospective study of 220 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal foraminoplasty and microdiscectomy at 228 levels was conducted with intent of identifying appropriate surgical indications in patients with monoradiculopathy. The mean follow up was 46 months ranging from 26 to 54 months. Preoperatively, foraminal and lateral recess stenosis was graded on preoperative MRI and CT scans by dividing the lumbar neuroforamen into three zones: a) entry zone, b) middle zone, and c) exit zone. In addition, the presence of disc herniation causing neural element compression in the lateral recess and neuroforamen was noted. Disc herniations, if present, were recorded as either extruded and contained disc herniations. Surgical outcomes were classified according to the Macnab criteria. In addition, reductions in VAS scores were assessed.ResultsAccording to the Macnab criteria, excellent and good results were obtained in 85% (186/220) of patients with monoradiculopathy. The mean VAS score decreased from 7.5 ± 1.5 preoperatively to 2.8 ± 1.9 at the final follow-up (P < 0.01). Concomitant extruded disc herniations and contained disc bulges were recorded in 24 and 82 patients, respectively. There were no approach-related complications. Clinical failures occurred in patients with bony stenosis in the lateral recess and entry zone of the neuroforamen. Less favorable outcomes were observed in patients with concomitant contained disc herniations when compared to extruded disc herniations (P < 0.03) as well in patients older than 50 years of age (P < 0.021).ConclusionsPercutaneous, endoscopic decompression using outside-in technique works well in patients with monoradiculopathy due to lateral stenosis in the mid and exit zone of the neuroforamen. Decompression in the entry zone maybe inadequate using the transforaminal outside-in approach. Future studies with greater statistical power should determine as to whether pain relief was achieved via microdiscectomy or foraminoplasty.

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Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze incidence, estimate cost savings, and evaluate best management practices of complications resulting from outpatient transforaminal endoscopic decompression surgery for lumbar foraminal and lateral recess stenosis performed in an ambulatory surgery center. Background: Endoscopic spinal surgery is gaining popularity for the treatment of lumbar disc herniations. Recent advances in surgical techniques allow for endoscopically assisted bony decompression for neurogenic claudication symptoms due to spinal stenosis. Postoperative complications from dural tears, recurrent disc herniations, nerve root injuries, foot drop, and facet and pedicle fractures, and postoperative sequelae such as dysesthetic leg pain and infiltration of the surgical access and spinal canal with irrigation fluid causing spinal headaches and painful wound swelling, as well as failure to cure, have been reported. Methods: A retrospective study of 1839 consecutive patients with an average mean follow up of 33 months (range: 24 to 85 months) that underwent transforaminal endoscopic decompression surgery at 2076 levels between 2006 and 2015 was conducted to analyze incidence, and estimate the cost savings of postoperative adverse events following endoscopic foraminotomy and microdiscectomy. Complications were stratified using Dindo's 7-category grading system, distinguishing them from procedure-inherent sequelae as well as failure to cure. Only patients with unilateral radiculopathy due to either herniated disc or lateral recess stenosis were included in this study. Preoperatively, disc migration was graded by direction and distance from the disc space according to Lee's radiologic 4-zone classification. The type of disc herniation was classified either as contained or extruded. Contained herniations were further subclassified as disc protrusions versus disc bulges. In addition, the preoperative disc height was recorded. Bony spinal foraminal stenosis and lateral recess stenosis were graded on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans into mild, moderate, and severe by dividing the lumbar neuroforamen into 3 zones: (1) entry zone, (2) midzone, and (3) exit zone. Surgical outcomes were classified according to the Macnab criteria. In addition, reduction in the visual analog scale (VAS) scores were assessed. Results: According to the Macnab criteria, excellent and good results were obtained in 82.2% of patients with extruded disc fragment (331/1839). In this group, the mean VAS score decreased from 5.9 6 2.5 preoperatively to 2.4 6 1.8 at final follow-up (P , .01). Patients with contained disc herniations (648/1839) had excellent and good results 72.7% of the time. In this group, the mean VAS score decreased from 7.2 6 1.6 preoperatively to 3.1 6 1.5 at final follow-up (P , .01). In the spinal stenosis group (860/1839), 75% of patients had excellent to good results. Postoperative grade I complications (any deviation from normal postoperative course treated with observation) o...

Background and Objective Surgical reconstruction of bony defects in the maxillofacial region involves fixation of bony fragments with mini and micro plates. Bone stabilization during hole drilling is often challenging due to the need to apply pressure when using a conventional mechanical Hall drill. In addition, fragmentation of the fragile bones may occur and complicate the reconstruction. The pulsed Er:YAG laser offers an attractive alternative drilling modality because it does not require physical contact with the bone in order to drill holes, cuts bone with minimal thermal damage, and allows precise control of bone cutting. The objective of this study was to investigate the pulsed Er:YAG laser as an alternative to the mechanical bur by comparing bone healing using both modalities. Study Design/Materials and Methods Bone healing in an inferior border defect of the rat mandible was examined using either an Er:YAG laser or a mechanical but for drilling. The healing of osteotomies in facial bones and of screw holes for plate stabilization of free bone fragments was studied. Results All defects healed by 4 weeks postoperatively. Histologic evaluation demonstrated no difference in the amount of newly formed woven bone at the osteotomy site or screw holes made by either the laser or the drill. The extent of thermal damage at the osteotomy sites was comparable in laser and mechanically cut bone fragments. Conclusions On the basis of this study we suggest that the Er:YAG laser can be used clinically in thin, fragile bones in the maxillofacial region. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.