A New Method for Establishing Operative Channels in Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Surgery: Technical Notes and Preliminary Results

Background At present, there are no new method for establishing operative channels for the unilateral biportal endoscopic(UBE)system. Objective This paper describes a new method for establishing operative channels in UBE surgery. Meanwhile, we assessed the preliminary efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy (UBED) in treating degenerative disc disease. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 52 patients who underwent UBED from February 2020 to August 2020 via our new method. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were measured preoperatively and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months postoperatively. Repeated measures one-way analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) was performed to compare the pre-and postoperative VAS scores and ODIs. Post hoc pairwise comparisons (paired t-tests) was used to compare the postoperative VAS scores and ODIs. Results The postoperative ODIs and VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain were significantly lower than those before surgery, and differences were statistically significant (all p < 0.05). Further pairwise comparisons brought out significant differences in the ODI at each time point after surgery (all p < 0.008). Significant differences were found in the VAS score of leg pain between 1 month and 6 months, 1 month and 12 months, and 3 months and 12 months (all p < 0.008). Pairwise comparisons in the VAS score of back pain between 1 month and 12 months differences (p < 0.008). Conclusion The modified channel establishment can provide a clear field of view in UBE surgery. UBED can yield a satisfactory curative effect in treating degenerative disc disease.