Objective:

Since endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion procedure has established, the insertion of cage requires a large working tube, which may lead nerveroot irritation. A novel nerve baffle was used for endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion and its short-term outcomes were analyzed.

Methods:

62 Patients(32 cases in baffle group, 30 cases in baffle group)with lumbar degenerative diseases who underwent endoscopic lumbar fusion surgery from July 2017 to September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical outcomes were measured using pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA) and complications. The perioperative blood loss were calculated by Gross formula. Radiologic parameters included lumbar lordosis, surgical segmental lordosis, cage position and fusion rate.

Results:

There were significant differences in VAS, ODI and JOA scores postoperatively, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up (P < 0.05) within two groups. The VAS and ODI score and hidden blood loss were significant less (P < 0.05) for baffle group. There was no significant difference in lumbar lordosis and segmental lordosis(P> 0.05). Postoperative disc height was significantly higher than preoperative and follow-up disc heights (P < 0.05) for both groups. There was no statistical difference in fusion rate and cage position parameters or subsidence rate.

Conclusion:

Endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion using the novel baffle has more advantages in nerve protection and hidden blood loss reducing than traditional ELIF with working tube. Compared with the working tube procedure, it has similar or even better short-term clinical outcome.