Application of 3D-printed low-temperature thermoplastic splint body surface positioning in spinal endoscopic operation via foraminal approach in treating ossified lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion

English Keywords:Fully visualized spinal endoscopy  Low-temperature thermoplastic board  3D printing  Intervertebral foramen approach  Ossified lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objectives: To explore the clinical application value of 3D-printed plastic plate surface positioning technique in the treatment of ossified lumbar intervertebral disc herniation with spinal endoscopic surgery through intervertebral foramen approach. Methods: A total of 37 patients with ossified lumbar intervertebral disc herniation who underwent surgery from January 2022 to October 2024 were included as the study subjects, including 15 males and 22 females, aged 14 to 74 years, with an average age of 52.3±11.6 years. They were randomly divided into a control group(full visualization spinal endoscopic surgery, 19 cases) and an observation group(3D-printed plastic plate surface positioning combined with surgery, 18 cases) depending on whether an auxiliary positioning scheme was adopted or not. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, surgical segments, and body mass index(BMI) between the two groups(P>0.05). The operative time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, changes in the cross-sectional area of the spinal canal, and visual analogue scale(VAS) scores for low back pain and Oswestry disability index(ODI) before and 5d after surgery were compared between the two groups. Results: Compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly shorter operative time(63.1±2.6min vs 73.8±4.4min, P<0.05), fewer fluoroscopy times[1.00(1.00, 2.00) vs 5.00(4.00, 5.00), P<0.05], and lower VAS scores at 5d post-operation[1.00(1.00, 1.25) vs 3.00(2.00, 3.00), P<0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of spinal canal cross-sectional area and postoperative 5d ODI(P>0.05). Conclusions: 3D-printed low temperature thermoplastic splint surface positioning can significantly reduce the number of fluoroscopy times and operative time, improve the efficiency of intervertebral foramen approach spinal endoscopic surgery, which has the advantages in alleviating the symptoms of low back and leg pain.