Research progress of unilateral biportal endoscopy technique in treatment of lumbar related diseases

Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2022 · DOI: 10.7507/1002-1892.202205087 · Published: October 1, 2022

Surgery Spinal Disorders

Simple Explanation

This paper reviews the unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique for treating lumbar spine conditions. UBE is a minimally invasive surgical approach that uses two small incisions on one side of the spine to access and treat various lumbar problems. UBE has shown promise in treating lumbar spinal stenosis, where it effectively decompresses the spinal canal, minimizes tissue damage, and preserves spinal stability. It also offers advantages over traditional open surgery and microscopy-assisted surgery for lumbar disc herniation. While UBE shows promise, it's not without risks. Complications can include dural tears, epidural hematomas, incomplete decompression, nerve irritation, and post-operative infections. Therefore, careful preoperative planning is essential to determine patient suitability.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Various studies reviewed, sample sizes vary

Evidence Level

Level 4, Literature Review

Key Findings

1
UBE is effective for lumbar spinal stenosis, providing satisfactory decompression with less damage and good lumbar stability.
2
UBE offers advantages over open and microscopy-assisted surgery for lumbar disc herniation.
3
UBE results in less postoperative trauma and satisfactory fusion rates in lumbar spondylolisthesis compared to conventional surgery.

Research Summary

This review examines the application and progress of UBE in treating lumbar-related diseases, covering its development, clinical uses, operative techniques, complications, and advantages. UBE is shown to be effective for lumbar spinal stenosis, offering benefits such as less damage and good stability. It also shows advantages over traditional methods for treating lumbar disc herniation and spondylolisthesis. UBE, while beneficial, has potential complications like dural tears and infections. The technique is user-friendly with a gentle learning curve, making it suitable for diverse lumbar conditions, but it has limitations that require careful consideration.

Practical Implications

Surgical Technique

UBE provides surgeons with a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery for various lumbar conditions.

Patient Outcomes

Patients may experience reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times with UBE compared to open surgery.

Clinical Practice

The study highlights the need for detailed preoperative planning and careful consideration of potential complications when using UBE.

Study Limitations

1
Potential for complications like dural tears and epidural hematoma.
2
Risk of incomplete decompression or recurrence.
3
Need for further large-scale randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up to validate the long-term efficacy of UBE.

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