Prospective Study of 103 Consecutive Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treated by Uniportal Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression: A 2-Year Follow-Up

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis that undergone uniportal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression to two-year follow-ups. Materials and Methods: A percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression with a unilateral foraminal approach was used in patients with a single level of lumbar spinal stenosis. One hundred and three were enrolled in the present study. Clinical outcomes such as back and leg pain by visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), McNab clinical outcome score, neurogenic claudication by maximum walking distance, and complications were recorded pre-operation and post-operation at day 1 and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Statistical significance was established at p smaller than 0.05. Results: All patients displayed clinical improvement when evaluated with VAS scores for back and leg pain, while ODI, neurogenic claudication sign, and Macnab criteria decreased statistically and significantly (p=0.05). The Macnab criteria showed a good or better outcome in 92.85%. There were no serious complications and only three patients were found to have minor dural tears. Conclusion: An uniportal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis. It is safe and effective. The advantages of uniportal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression include a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time, and less postoperative pain. However, as with any surgery, there are risks and potential complications, and the learning curve is steep.