[Design of three-dimensional foraminal guide device and application in percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy]

To explore clinical application of the new three-dimensional foramen guide in percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

Based on the principle of reverse positioning, a new three-dimensional foramen guide was designed. From May 2016 to May 2018, totally 40 patients with segmental lumbar disc herniation were underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy. The patients were divided into guide and control group, and 20 patients in each group. In guide group, there were 9 males and 11 females with an average age of (46.0±11.0) years old;5 patients on L_3,4, 15 patients on L_4,5; BMI was (25.4±3.2) kg /m²;three dimensional foramen guide was used to assist the operation. While in control group, there were 10 males and 10 females with an average age of (51.8±9.8) years old;4 patients on L_3,4, 16 patients on L_4,5;BMI was (24.8±3.5) kg /m²;the operation was completed with bare hands according to the experience. The puncture time, times of fluoroscopy and puncture between two groups were compared, as well as the preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) were compared.

All patients had no serious complications, and successfully completed operation. Operation time, the times of fluoroscopy and puncture in guide group were better than those of control group (P<0.05). VAS score and JOA score between two groups were significantly relieved after operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05).

The three dimensional foramen guide is compact in structure, simple in operation, which could reduce the time of puncture and damage of radiation, shorten the learning curve of puncture for beginners, and has certain clinical feasibility.