Objective: : Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) is a surgical technique that utilizes a large interbody cage to indirectly decompress neural elements. The position of the cage relative to the vertebral body could affect the degree of foraminal decompression. Previous studies determined the position of the cage using plain radiographs, with conflicting results regarding the influence of the position of the cage to the degree of neural foramen decompression. Because of the cage obliquity, computed tomography (CT) has better accuracy than plain radiograph for the measurement of the obliquely inserted cage. The objective of this study is to find the correlation between the position of the OLIF cage with the degree of indirect decompression of foraminal stenosis using CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: : We review imaging of 46 patients who underwent OLIF from L2-L5 for 68 levels. Segmental lordosis (SL) was measured in a plain radiograph. The positions of the cage were measured in CT. Spinal canal cross-sectional area (SCSA), and foraminal crosssectional area (FSCA) measurements using MRI were taken into consideration. Results: : Patients’ mean age was 69.7 years. SL increases 3.0±5.1 degrees. Significant increases in SCSA (33.3%), FCSA (43.7% on the left and 45.0% on the right foramen) were found (p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis shows putting the cage in the more posterior position correlated with more increase of FSCA and decreases SL correction. The position of the cage does not affect the degree of the central spinal canal decompression. Obliquity of the cage does not result in different degrees of foraminal decompression between right and left side neural foramen. Conclusion : Cage position near the posterior part of the vertebral body increases the decompression effect of the neural foramen while putting the cage in the more anterior position correlated with increases SL.

This review aims to systematically evaluate the incidence, management strategies, and clinical outcomes of iatrogenic durotomy (ID) in endoscopic spine surgery and to propose a management flowchart based on the tear size and associated complications. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, focusing on studies involving endoscopic spinal procedures and incidental durotomy. The selected studies were analyzed for management techniques and outcomes, particularly in relation to the size of the dural tear and the presence of nerve root herniation. Based on these findings, a flowchart for intraoperative management was developed. A total of 14 studies were included, encompassing 68,546 patients. Varying incidences of ID, with management strategies largely dependent on the size of the dural tear, were found. Small tears (less than 5 mm) were often left untreated or managed with absorbable hemostatic agents, while medium (5–10 mm) and large tears (greater than 10 mm) required more complex approaches like endoscopic patch repair or open surgery. The presence of nerve root herniation necessitated immediate action, often influencing the decision to convert to open repair. Effective management of ID in endoscopic spine surgery requires a nuanced approach tailored to the size of the tear and specific intraoperative challenges, such as nerve root herniation. The proposed flowchart offers a structured approach to these complexities, potentially enhancing clinical outcomes and reducing complication rates. Future research with more rigorous methodologies is necessary to refine these management strategies further and broaden the applications of endoscopic spine surgery.

This review aims to systematically evaluate the incidence, management strategies, and clinical outcomes of iatrogenic durotomy (ID) in endoscopic spine surgery and to propose a management flowchart based on the tear size and associated complications. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, focusing on studies involving endoscopic spinal procedures and incidental durotomy. The selected studies were analyzed for management techniques and outcomes, particularly in relation to the size of the dural tear and the presence of nerve root herniation. Based on these findings, a flowchart for intraoperative management was developed. A total of 14 studies were included, encompassing 68,546 patients. Varying incidences of ID, with management strategies largely dependent on the size of the dural tear, were found. Small tears (less than 5 mm) were often left untreated or managed with absorbable hemostatic agents, while medium (5–10 mm) and large tears (greater than 10 mm) required more complex approaches like endoscopic patch repair or open surgery. The presence of nerve root herniation necessitated immediate action, often influencing the decision to convert to open repair. Effective management of ID in endoscopic spine surgery requires a nuanced approach tailored to the size of the tear and specific intraoperative challenges, such as nerve root herniation. The proposed flowchart offers a structured approach to these complexities, potentially enhancing clinical outcomes and reducing complication rates. Future research with more rigorous methodologies is necessary to refine these management strategies further and broaden the applications of endoscopic spine surgery.

This review aims to systematically evaluate the incidence, management strategies, and clinical outcomes of iatrogenic durotomy (ID) in endoscopic spine surgery and to propose a management flowchart based on the tear size and associated complications. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, focusing on studies involving endoscopic spinal procedures and incidental durotomy. The selected studies were analyzed for management techniques and outcomes, particularly in relation to the size of the dural tear and the presence of nerve root herniation. Based on these findings, a flowchart for intraoperative management was developed. A total of 14 studies were included, encompassing 68,546 patients. Varying incidences of ID, with management strategies largely dependent on the size of the dural tear, were found. Small tears (less than 5 mm) were often left untreated or managed with absorbable hemostatic agents, while medium (5–10 mm) and large tears (greater than 10 mm) required more complex approaches like endoscopic patch repair or open surgery. The presence of nerve root herniation necessitated immediate action, often influencing the decision to convert to open repair. Effective management of ID in endoscopic spine surgery requires a nuanced approach tailored to the size of the tear and specific intraoperative challenges, such as nerve root herniation. The proposed flowchart offers a structured approach to these complexities, potentially enhancing clinical outcomes and reducing complication rates. Future research with more rigorous methodologies is necessary to refine these management strategies further and broaden the applications of endoscopic spine surgery.

This review aims to systematically evaluate the incidence, management strategies, and clinical outcomes of iatrogenic durotomy (ID) in endoscopic spine surgery and to propose a management flowchart based on the tear size and associated complications. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, focusing on studies involving endoscopic spinal procedures and incidental durotomy. The selected studies were analyzed for management techniques and outcomes, particularly in relation to the size of the dural tear and the presence of nerve root herniation. Based on these findings, a flowchart for intraoperative management was developed. A total of 14 studies were included, encompassing 68,546 patients. Varying incidences of ID, with management strategies largely dependent on the size of the dural tear, were found. Small tears (less than 5 mm) were often left untreated or managed with absorbable hemostatic agents, while medium (5–10 mm) and large tears (greater than 10 mm) required more complex approaches like endoscopic patch repair or open surgery. The presence of nerve root herniation necessitated immediate action, often influencing the decision to convert to open repair. Effective management of ID in endoscopic spine surgery requires a nuanced approach tailored to the size of the tear and specific intraoperative challenges, such as nerve root herniation. The proposed flowchart offers a structured approach to these complexities, potentially enhancing clinical outcomes and reducing complication rates. Future research with more rigorous methodologies is necessary to refine these management strategies further and broaden the applications of endoscopic spine surgery.

This review aims to systematically evaluate the incidence, management strategies, and clinical outcomes of iatrogenic durotomy (ID) in endoscopic spine surgery and to propose a management flowchart based on the tear size and associated complications. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, focusing on studies involving endoscopic spinal procedures and incidental durotomy. The selected studies were analyzed for management techniques and outcomes, particularly in relation to the size of the dural tear and the presence of nerve root herniation. Based on these findings, a flowchart for intraoperative management was developed. A total of 14 studies were included, encompassing 68,546 patients. Varying incidences of ID, with management strategies largely dependent on the size of the dural tear, were found. Small tears (less than 5 mm) were often left untreated or managed with absorbable hemostatic agents, while medium (5–10 mm) and large tears (greater than 10 mm) required more complex approaches like endoscopic patch repair or open surgery. The presence of nerve root herniation necessitated immediate action, often influencing the decision to convert to open repair. Effective management of ID in endoscopic spine surgery requires a nuanced approach tailored to the size of the tear and specific intraoperative challenges, such as nerve root herniation. The proposed flowchart offers a structured approach to these complexities, potentially enhancing clinical outcomes and reducing complication rates. Future research with more rigorous methodologies is necessary to refine these management strategies further and broaden the applications of endoscopic spine surgery.