Application of power drill equipment in the visualized foraminoplasty of transforaminal endoscopic spinal surgery

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of power drill equipment in the visualized foraminoplasty of transforaminal endoscopic spinal surgery. MethodsData were collected from 32 lumber disc herniationpatients who were admitted from January to December 2016 to undergo visualized foraminoplasty and discectomy using power drill equipment. The outcomes were evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA). ResultsAll patients were followed-up for three months. The average operation time was 95.3 min (60-120 min). The average hospitalization staywas 8.3 days (5-13 days). The average time of intraoperative fluoroscopy was 13.5 (10-18). The average VAS was remarkably decreased three days, two weeks and three months after surgery, compared with pre-operative levels (P＜0.05). The average ODI and JOA were markedly improved three days after surgery and sustained three months after surgery, compared with pre-operative levels (P＜0.05). ConclusionThe use of power drill equipment in visualized foraminoplasty of transforaminal endoscopic spinal surgery can reduce the risk of neural injury and is safe and effective alternative to treat lumbar disc herniation.