Objectives:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic debride-ment combined with irrigation using a custom-designed irrigation and drainage system for the treatment of epidural fluid accumulation with lumbar intervertebral infections following unilateral biportal endoscopic(UBE)decompression surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 cases of lumbar infections af-ter UBE lumbar spinal canal decompression treated at Shanxi Bethune Hospital from October 2020 to April 2025.There were 5 males and 7 females,aged 74-84(79.1±3.4)years old.All the patients underwent trans-foraminal endoscopic debridement combined with irrigation using a custom-designed irrigation and drainage system,with targeted antibiotic perfusion therapy based on bacterial culture results.Follow-up assessments were performed at 3d,1 month,and the final follow-up,including tests for white blood cell count,neutrophil percentage(％),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP),and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels a-mong cytokines.Additionally,visual analog scale(VAS)scores for low back pain,Oswestry disability index(O-DI),and other relevant clinical scores were recorded at these intervals.Lumbar MRI was performed based on patient recovery to observe postoperative imaging changes.At final follow-up,the postoperative efficacy was evaluated according to the modified MacNab criteria.Results:All 12 cases were followed up for 6-12 months(9.3±3.1 months).The infections were successfully eradicated in all patients,with no recurrence observed and primary wound healing achieved.At the final follow-up,laboratory markers including white blood cell count,neutrophil percentage(％),ESR,CRP,and IL-6 levels had normalized.Lumbar pain VAS scores was 3.67±0.58 points at 1 month after operation,while JOA scores was 24.00±2.00 points and ODI was(27.33±4.16)％.By the final follow-up,VAS scores improved to 2.13±0.68 points,JOA scores to 25.33±1.53 points and ODI to(14.67±2.08)％.The differences from the preoperative values were statistically significant(P＜0.05).At final follow-up,lumbar MRI findings of 12 patients showed significant improvement in the epidural effusion and in-fection from the conditions before debridement,and the outcomes were rated as excellent in 10 cases and good in 12 cases according to the modified MacNab criteria.Conclusions:Percutaneous transforaminal endo-scopic debridement combined with irrigation via a custom-designed irrigation and drainage system technique is a feasible,safe,and effective treatment for lumbar infections following UBE decompression surgery.

Objectives:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic debride-ment combined with irrigation using a custom-designed irrigation and drainage system for the treatment of epidural fluid accumulation with lumbar intervertebral infections following unilateral biportal endoscopic(UBE)decompression surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 cases of lumbar infections af-ter UBE lumbar spinal canal decompression treated at Shanxi Bethune Hospital from October 2020 to April 2025.There were 5 males and 7 females,aged 74-84(79.1±3.4)years old.All the patients underwent trans-foraminal endoscopic debridement combined with irrigation using a custom-designed irrigation and drainage system,with targeted antibiotic perfusion therapy based on bacterial culture results.Follow-up assessments were performed at 3d,1 month,and the final follow-up,including tests for white blood cell count,neutrophil percentage(％),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP),and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels a-mong cytokines.Additionally,visual analog scale(VAS)scores for low back pain,Oswestry disability index(O-DI),and other relevant clinical scores were recorded at these intervals.Lumbar MRI was performed based on patient recovery to observe postoperative imaging changes.At final follow-up,the postoperative efficacy was evaluated according to the modified MacNab criteria.Results:All 12 cases were followed up for 6-12 months(9.3±3.1 months).The infections were successfully eradicated in all patients,with no recurrence observed and primary wound healing achieved.At the final follow-up,laboratory markers including white blood cell count,neutrophil percentage(％),ESR,CRP,and IL-6 levels had normalized.Lumbar pain VAS scores was 3.67±0.58 points at 1 month after operation,while JOA scores was 24.00±2.00 points and ODI was(27.33±4.16)％.By the final follow-up,VAS scores improved to 2.13±0.68 points,JOA scores to 25.33±1.53 points and ODI to(14.67±2.08)％.The differences from the preoperative values were statistically significant(P＜0.05).At final follow-up,lumbar MRI findings of 12 patients showed significant improvement in the epidural effusion and in-fection from the conditions before debridement,and the outcomes were rated as excellent in 10 cases and good in 12 cases according to the modified MacNab criteria.Conclusions:Percutaneous transforaminal endo-scopic debridement combined with irrigation via a custom-designed irrigation and drainage system technique is a feasible,safe,and effective treatment for lumbar infections following UBE decompression surgery.