Outpatient minimally invasive spine surgery using endoscopy for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis among obese patients

INTRODUCTION: The safety and effectiveness of outpatient endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis among obese patients is not well documented. METHODS: Pain, disability, and surgical variables were examined on 41 adult obese patients that underwent lumbar laminotomy and foraminotomy surgeries. RESULTS: A significant decrease in pain and disability scores between preoperative and postoperative were found (p-value's < 0.001). DISCUSSION: MISS using endoscopy can achieve sufficient decompression that results in a significant reduction in the level of pain and disability among obese patients with minimal blood loss and no complications.