The use of transforaminal endoscopic discectomy and foraminoplasty after transforaminal fusion in the lumbar spine

A retrospective study (2015-2018) included seven patients after transforaminal fusion in the lumbar spine with pain in the back and legs with confirmed foraminal stenosis and/or residual/recurrent disc herniation or pain syndrome, decreasing or stopping by anti - inflammatory therapy. The work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of revision transforaminal endoscopic foraminoplasty in such patients. Endoscopic foraminoplasty was performed either to decompress the foraminal foramen in the event of stenosis, or for endoscopic visual examination of compressed intersecting and exiting nerve roots in the armpit. The average follow - up period was 25.8 months; the minimum was ten months. Results were assessed on the Macnab Subjective Rating Scale (Macnab), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Validity Index (ODI). The mean VAS significantly (p<0.005) improved from 7.8 to 2.7. There were no adverse outcomes on the McNab scale. The rate of excellent and functional results was 71.4% overall. No reoperations were required. There were no intra - and postoperative complications. In two cases, there was a burning sensation in the operated side’s heel area, which regressed after a week on the background of anti - inflammatory therapy.

transforaminal endoscopic, foraminal stenosis, recurrent hernia, endoscopic foraminoplasty, the fusion of the lumbar spine