Role of Spine Endoscopy in the Treatment of Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Mahmoud, Radwan Nouby; Hamdan, Ali; Farrag, Mohamad Abdelraouf Metwally; Tayel, Amr; Hammad, Omar Yousef

doi:10.21608/svuijm.2025.359823.2114

Role of Spine Endoscopy in the Treatment of Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Document Type : Original research articles

Authors

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, Assiut, Egypt.

² Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.

³ Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

10.21608/svuijm.2025.359823.2114

Abstract

Background: Minimally invasive spine techniques such as spine endoscopy have emerged as an effective treatment option for cases of lumbar disc prolapse and lumbar canal stenosis, offering reduced postoperative pain and faster recovery.
Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of spine-endoscopy in cases of lumbosacral radiculopathy caused by lumbar disc prolapse or lumbar canal stenosis.
Patients and methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at Qena University Hospitals and Ain Shams University Hospitals, Egypt, involving 40 patients with lumbar disc prolapse “LDP” or lumbar canal stenosis “LCS” who underwent endoscopic lumbar surgery. Surgical approaches included percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy and Percutaneous Endoscopic Interlaminar Lumbar Laminectomy . Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale “VAS”, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire “JOABPEQ”, Oswestry Disability Index “ODI”, and Macnab’s criteria at 1-day and 6-month follow-ups.
Results: The study population consisted of 70% male patients with a mean age of 45.15 ± 15.83 years. All patients had low back pain, with 87.5% experiencing sciatica. Primary LDP was the most common pathology (62.5%). Surgical success was high, VAS scores reduced from 8 preoperatively to 0 at 6 months (p < 0.001), and ODI improved from 84.9% to 3.6% (p < 0.001). JOABPEQ results demonstrated marked functional improvement, with walking ability reaching 100% at 6 months. Macnab criteria indicated excellent outcomes in 80% of patients. Dural tear (15%) was the only encountered complication.
Conclusion: Spine endoscopy is safe and effective for treating lumbosacral radiculopathy, offering significant pain relief, functional recovery, and high patient satisfaction.

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