Outpatient minimally invasive spine surgery using endoscopy for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis among obese patients.

INTRODUCTION

The safety and effectiveness of outpatient endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis among obese patients is not well documented.

METHODS

Pain, disability, and surgical variables were examined on 41 adult obese patients that underwent lumbar laminotomy and foraminotomy surgeries.

RESULTS

A significant decrease in pain and disability scores between preoperative and postoperative were found (p-value's < 0.001).

DISCUSSION: MISS using endoscopy can achieve sufficient decompression that results in a significant reduction in the level of pain and disability among obese patients with minimal blood loss and no complications.