C-arm-guided versus ultrasound volumetric navigation-guided percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation: A retrospective study

To compare the clinical efficacy of lumbar percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) guided by C-arm fluoroscopy and ultrasound volumetric navigation (UVN). Fifty patients with LDH treated with PTED were retrospectively evaluated in this study. Groups A (n = 25) and B (n = 25) had intervertebral foramina punctures guided by C-arm fluoroscopy and UVN, respectively. The age, gender, height, weight, and body mass index of patients were recorded. We compared the puncture time, number of punctures, and puncture accuracy of patients in both groups. We also evaluated the clinical effectiveness of PTED surgery using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). In addition, we recorded the duration of surgery, hospitalization, medical costs, and surgical complications in both groups. The average follow-up time of the 50 patients was 18.5 ± 4.3 months. The mean puncture time in groups A and B was 25.76 ± 5.28 and 14.34 ± 4.96 minutes, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). The mean number of fluoroscopies was significantly lower in group B than in group A, with 15.82 ± 2.29 versus 4.52 ± 0.51 times (P < .05). The puncture accuracy rate was 100% in both groups, with no statistical difference (P > .05). The VAS and ODI scores of patients in group A were similar to group B at all 3-time points: preoperatively, at 3 months postoperatively, and at 1 year postoperatively. However, both VAS and ODI were significantly improved postoperatively compared to preoperatively (P < .05). Moreover, group B has shorter operative time and higher medical cost than group A (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the length of hospitalization and surgical complication rate (P > .05). Both C-arm-guided and the UVN-guided PTED are safe and effective methods for the treatment of LDH. UVN-guided technique has the advantage of reducing puncture time and the number of punctures. However, UVN also has the disadvantage of high hospitalization costs.