Transforaminal endoscopic system technique for discogenic low back pain: A prospective Cohort study

Abstract Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic system(TESSYS) for discogenic low back pain(DLBP). Methods 62 consecutive patients with one-level DLBP applying to the including criteria underwent TESSYS from January 2010 to December 2013. These patients included 38 males and 24 females with a mean age of 42.7 ± 5.4 years (range, 18–73 yr) and a mean follow-up of 26.8 ± 4.2 months (range, 12–48 months). The visual analog scale (VAS) were used for back pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for lumbar function, and the modified MacNab criteria for clinical global outcomes. Results 24 patients showed only inflammatory granuloma on annulus tear tissues(Group A), 16 patients showed no annulus tear but adhesion and inflammatory granuloma among the intracanal annulus fibrous(AF), posterior longitudinal ligament(PLL) and the abdomen side of the dura sac(Group B) and 22 patients showed both(Group C). Concordant pain could be triggered by touching the inflammation with the bipolar radiofrequency probe. The success rate (excellent and good) of group C was much higher than A and B(P  Conclusion TEEYS is an effective method in treating DLBP and the complete management of the inflammatory granuloma was the key point in achieving better results.