Evaluation of the efficacy of epiduroscopic discectomy procedures: A retroscopic study

Evaluation of The Efficacy of Epiduroscopic Discectomy Procedures: A Retroscopic Study Epiduroscopy or spinal endoscopy is the imaging of the epidural space using a percutaneous and minimally invasive fiberoptic imaging device. The definitive diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain is increasingly prevalent with epiduroscopy. Recently, as a result of these studies it has been reported that laser therapy with epiduroscopy applied disectomy during multiple lesions. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the efficacy of epiduroscopic discectomy procedures performed at the Algology Clinic. The information of patients who were applied epiduroscopic discectomy was obtained from the hospital information system (Kardelen Software, Turkey) after approval of the Ethical Committee of Sakarya University Medical Faculty. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and complications were recorded preoperatively, postoperatively at 2nd weeks, 2th, 6th and 12th months, together with the demographic data of the patients. 163 patients were included in the study. The preoperative VAS and ODI scores of the patients were decreased statistically significant when compared to the postoperative 2nd week, 2nd, 6th and 12th months VAS and ODI scores (p=0,001). In patients with age 44 and older, the risk of being under 50% of reductions in VAS scores was 4,199-fold greater (p=0,001). Patients with age 44 and older had a 4,352-fold greater risk of being under 40% of reductions in ODI scores (p=0,001). We think that the epiduroscopic laser discectomy is a minimally invasive and useful technique in treatment of the lomber disc herniation. This teqnique reduces the VAS and ODI scores from the 2nd week and has a low complication rate. Key words: Epiduroscopy; Discectomy; Holmium Yag laser: Lomber disc herniation; Minimally invasive treatment.