Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2007; 50(3): 186-190
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-982511
Technical Note

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Minimally Invasive Technique for Direct Repair of the Pars Defects in Young Adults using a Spinal Endoscope: A Technical Note

K. Higashino 1 , K. Sairyo 1 , S. Katoh 1 , T. Sakai 1 , H. Kosaka 1 , N. Yasui 1
  • 1Department of Orthopedics, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 September 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Pars defect (spondylolysis) of the lumbar spine can cause chronic low back pain, and it sometimes requires surgical intervention. Direct repair is selected for the surgery if young adult patients do not present significant disc degeneration and lumbar instability. In order to lessen damages of back muscles during surgery, we added the use of a spinal endoscope to the “Buck's screwing procedure” the direct repair. There are four steps in this procedure: 1) identification of the defect, 2) curettage (refresh) of the defect, 3) percutaneous insertion of the annulated screws and 4) cancellous bone grafting. All these steps can be done endoscopically. We treated 3 young adults - a baseball player, a professional cycle-racer and a sculptor - using this endoscopic procedure. There were no complications during or after the operation. Union was obtained in all defects within 3 months, and they returned to their previous activities within 6 months after the surgery.

References

Correspondence

K. SairyoMD, PhD 

Department of Orthopedics

Institute of Health Biosciences

The University of Tokushima Graduate School

3-18-15 Kuramoto

770-8503 Tokushima

Japan

Phone: +81/88/633 72 40

Fax: +81/88/633 01 78

Email: sairyokun@hotmail.com

Email: sairyo@clin.med.tokushima-u.ac.jp