Comparisons of the Learning Curve at the L4/5 and L5/S1 Level for Percutaneous Endoscopic Transforaminal Discectomy
10.13471/j.cnki.j.sun.yat-sen.univ（med.sci）.2022.0519
- VernacularTitle:经皮内镜椎间孔入路腰4/5与腰5/骶1腰椎间盘切除术学习曲线对比
- Author:
Jin-xu CHEN
1
;
De-li DENG
1
;
He-sheng LIANG
1
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedics， Central Hospital of Panyu District， Guangzhou 511400， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
lumbar disk herniation;
percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy;
learning curve
- From:
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences)
2022;43(5):845-851
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectivesTo evaluate the learning curve for percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy（PETD）at L4/5 level and L5/S1 level respectively， and to evaluate the differences of learning curve for PETD between the two levels. MethodsTwo batches of the first 51 cases who were each treated with PETD for L4/5 or for L5/S1 disc herniation respectively in the department between December 2019 and November 2020 were reviewed. The operation time， radiation exposure time， VAS score， preoperative ODI score， and the postoperative follow-up were reviewed. Each level was divided into three groups： for the earliest stage， Patients #1~17 were assigned to Group A； for the middle stage， Patients #18~34 were assigned to Group B； and for the latest stage， Patients #35~51 were assigned to Group C. ResultsAll patients were observed postoperatively for 8.4 months ［range： 6 months-12 months， M （P25~P75） = 8.0（7.0~9.3）months］. Significant differences were observed in the mean operation time for L4/5 level both between Group A and Group B （P=0.006） and between Group A and Group C （P=0.000）， while for the average operation time for L5/S1 level there was significant difference between Group A and Group C （P=0.000）， but not between Group A and Group B （P=0.344）. Compared with the operation time at L4/5 level， the operation time at L5/S1 was significantly longer for each stage （Group A： P=0.080， Group B： P=0.000， Group C： P=0.016， Total： P=0.000）. The average X-ray exposure period at each Group A L4/5 level was shortened successively， and there were significant differences between Group A and Group B （P=0.000）， also between Group A and Group C （P=0.000）. However， the mean radiation time of the three stages in L5/S1 level improved less rapidly than that in L4/5 level， in which significant difference was not observed between Group A and Group B （P=0.995）， but was between Group A and Group C （P=0.000）. The radiation exposure time at L5/S1 was significantly longer than L4/5 level for each stage （Group A： P=0.000， Group B： P=0.000， Group C： P=0.000， Total： P=0.000）. In the improvement of VAS score among 3 stages for L4/5 level， no significant differences were observed neither between Group A and Group B （P=0.967） nor between Group A and Group C （P=0.927）. Higher improvement in the ODI score was observed in L4/5 level both between Group A and Group B （P=0.036） and between Group A and Group C （P=0.011）. There was no significant difference in the improvement of VAS score for L5/S1 level neither between Group A and Group B （P=0.397） nor between Group A and Group C （P=0.960）； neither was there any significant difference in the improvement of ODI score both between Group A and Group B （P=0.207） and between Group A and Group C （P=0.109）. ConclusionsThe learning curve in the L4/5 level is steeper than that in the L5/S1 level. Suitable patient selection is of much importance for shortening the learning curve for PETD.
