Surgical treatment of the consequences of a gunshot wound to the lumbar spine using endoscopic techniques

A clinical case of treatment of a patient with long-term consequences of a gunshot wound to the lumbar spine with a follow-up period of fifteen years is presented. In the last year and a half, the repeatedly recurrent retroperitoneal phlegmon associated with a foreign body of the lumbar spine has prompted a decision on the issue of surgical treatment (removal of a foreign body - a bullet). The location of the foreign body and previous experience with endoscopic foreign body removal played a decisive role in the choice of surgical tactics. Removal of the wounding projectile was performed using a percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic approach. The choice of such an approach was dictated by the peculiarity of the location of the foreign body (coaxial with the endoscopic tube in the foraminal approach), as well as sufficient experience in using the technique of percutaneous endoscopic surgery. At the same time, the conversion plan was worked out in sufficient detail with both posterolateral and anterior open approaches with the involvement of appropriate specialists. So, in case of failure, it was planned to transfer endoscopic access to “open,” using the already installed working tube of the endoscope as a conductor to a foreign body. In case of inefficiency, for some reason, this version of the operation was planned for the next, third stage: wound suturing, patient turning on the back with a right-hand retroperitoneal approach to the anterior-lateral surface of LI and LII bodies. Fortunately, the purpose of the operation was achieved using the most gentle version of the allowance. The given clinical case testifies that the technique of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic surgery is not limited in indications to the treatment of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine.