Objective To compare the effectiveness between unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) and endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) in treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis combined with intervertebral disc herniation. Methods A clinical data of 64 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc herniation, who were admitted between April 2020 and November 2021 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 30 patients were treated with ULIF (ULIF group) and 34 patients with Endo-TLIF (Endo-TLIF group). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, disease duration, lesion segment, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain and leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), spinal canal area, and intervertebral space height between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stays, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups, as well as the VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain, ODI, and imaging measurement indicators (spinal canal area, intervertebral bone graft area, intervertebral space height, and degree of intervertebral fusion according to modified Brantigan score). Results Compared with the Endo-TLIF group, the ULIF group had shorter operation time, but had more intraoperative blood loss and longer hospital stays, with significant differences (P<0.05). The cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 2 cases of Endo-TLIF group and 1 case of ULIF group, and no other complication occurred. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients in the two groups were followed up 12 months. The VAS scores of lower back pain and leg pain and ODI in the two groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between different time points after operation (P>0.05). And there was no significant difference between the two groups at each time point after operation (P>0.05). Imaging examination showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in the change of spinal canal area, the change of intervertebral space height, and intervertebral fusion rate at 6 and 12 months (P>0.05). The intervertebral bone graft area in the ULIF group was significantly larger than that in the Endo-TLIF group (P<0.05). ConclusionFor the patients with lumbar spinal stenosis combined with intervertebral disc herniation, ULIF not only achieves similar effectiveness as Endo-TLIF, but also has advantages such as higher decompression efficiency, flexible surgical instrument operation, more thorough intraoperative intervertebral space management, and shorter operation time.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a modified double keystone design perforator island flap in repairing large skin and soft tissue defects in the posterior midline lumbar region following extensive excision for Bowen disease. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 9 patients with Bowen disease in the posterior midline lumbar region admitted between January 2020 and June 2024. There were 4 males and 5 females; ages ranged from 55 to 80 years, with a mean age of 68.9 years. Lesions were located at L1-5 levels and concentrated near the midline posterior to the spinous processes. And the lesions were confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The size of residual defects following extensive excision ranged from 6.0 cm×5.5 cm to 10.0 cm×8.5 cm. The modified double keystone design perforator island flaps were designed with the defect as the center. Subcutaneous and adipose tissues were dissected without incising the deep fascia, while preserving perforator vessels. The bilateral flaps were advanced toward the midline using V-Y advancement sutures; the size of unilateral flap ranged from 8.5 cm×3.5 cm to 15.0 cm×6.0 cm. The donor sites were directly sutured. Results Operations were successfully completed in all 9 cases. The operation time ranged from 80 to 100 minutes (mean, 90 minutes); intraoperative blood loss ranged from 20 to 80 mL (mean, 41.1 mL); and the length of hospital stay ranged from 9 to 15 days (mean, 10.4 days). All flaps survived, with only 1 case of mild fat liquefaction at the recipient site. All patients were followed up 9-18 months (mean, 12.4 months). All flaps were similar in texture, thickness, and color to the surrounding skin, with no obvious “cat’s ear” deformity observed. The lumbar mobility was normal, with no sensation of tightness or pain. At last follow-up, the subjective satisfaction, as assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, ranged from 7 to 10, with a mean of 8.7. No tumor recurrence was observed during follow-up. Conclusion For large defects resulting from extensive resection of Bowen disease in the posterior midline lumbar region, the use of a modified double keystone design perforator island flap offers the advantages of reliable blood supply, uniform tension distribution, no need for skin grafting, and minimal trauma at donor site.