Warning: mkdir(): Permission denied in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 81 Warning: fopen(/home/virtual/e-kjs/journal/upload/ip_log/ip_log_2024-03.txt): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 83 Warning: fwrite() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 84 Commentary on “Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy for Decompression of Extraforaminal Stenosis at the Lumbosacral Junction: Surgical Techniques and Clinical Outcomes”

Commentary on “Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy for Decompression of Extraforaminal Stenosis at the Lumbosacral Junction: Surgical Techniques and Clinical Outcomes”

Article information

Neurospine. 2021;18(4):880-881
Publication date (electronic) : 2021 December 31
doi : https://doi.org/10.14245/ns.2143268.634
1Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal cord Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
2Department of Neurosurgery, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Korea
Corresponding Author Insoo Kim Department of Neurosurgery, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, 1035 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 41931, Korea Email: neurokim@dsmc.or.kr

Insoo Kim

The extraforaminal region at the lumbosacral junction is difficult to access due to the narrow corridor and its deep location. Therefore, it is easy to overlook symptomatic extraforaminal stenosis of the lumbosacral junction, known as far-out syndrome or Bertolotti syndrome, in conventional magnetic resonance imaging [1]. This pathology may thus be considered in cases of failed back surgery syndrome with L5 root symptoms.

Decompressive microscopic surgery through the paraspinal approach has been performed for extraforaminal stenosis, but it has its own problems, including postoperative radicular pain, dysesthesia, and a limited field of view leading to incomplete decompression [2]. Fusion surgery with total facetectomy is sometimes considered.

Endoscopic spine surgery, which has many advantages including less postoperative pain with small incision and less soft tissue injury, short hospitalization, rapid functional recovery, and the possibility of being performed without general anesthesia in some cases, is popular among spine surgeons worldwide [3-5]. Moreover, its technical and instrumental advancements have been tremendous. The authors introduced the unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) technique for extraforaminal stenosis at the L5–S1 level [6]. The high quality of endoscopic imaging and application of a continuous irrigation fluid system make it possible to access any lesions around the foramen and extraforaminal region easily [2]. The approach to extraforaminal lesions, including L5–S1, is sometimes challenging with conventional microscopes or endoscopes due to the iliac crest and hypertrophied L5 transverse process or sacral ala, which are major obstacles. Because the dual portals can be moved independently and are not interrupted by the endoscope, UBE may be feasible for pathology at narrow and deep locations.

As the authors described 3 compression points for extraforaminal stenosis at L5–S1—the pseudoarticulation between the L5 transverse process and sacral ala, the osteophyte and disc bulging, and the thickened lumbosacral and extraforaminal ligament—it is necessary to consider those factors in cases of insufficient decompression. Although UBE is a developing endoscopic surgical technique and has expanding surgical indications for spine surgery, research targeting specific topics, such as the safe bone working limit and fluid pressure relationship, should be conducted. Prospective or randomized studies, as well as those with long-term follow-up results, are mandatory. Thanks to the authors, we have another weapon for challenging pathology. I congratulate the authors for their pioneering endoscopic surgery technique.

Notes

The authors have nothing to disclose.

References

1. Heo DH, Sharma S, Park CK. Endoscopic treatment of extraforaminal entrapment of L5 nerve root (far out syndrome) by unilateral biportal endoscopic approach: technical report and preliminary clinical results. Neurospine 2019;16:130–7.
2. Ahn JS, Lee HJ, Choi DJ, et al. Extraforaminal approach of biportal endoscopic spinal surgery: a new endoscopic technique for transforaminal decompression and discectomy. J Neurosurg Spine 2018;28:492–8.
3. Kim HS, Wu PH, Jang IT. Development of endoscopic spine surgery for healthy life: to provide spine care for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Neurospine 2020;17(Suppl 1):S3–8.
4. Chung AS, Wang JC. The rationale for endoscopic spinal surgery. Neurospine 2020;17(Suppl 1):S9–12.
5. Ren Z, He S, Li J, et al. Comparison of the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for treating lumbar disc herniation under epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia. Neurospine 2020;17:254–9.
6. Park MK, Son SK, Park WW, et al. Unilateral biportal endoscopy for decompression of extraforaminal stenosis at the lumbosacral junction: surgical techniques and clinical outcomes. Neurospine 2021;18:871–9.

Article information Continued