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The novel Kambin Torpedo full-endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion technique: a case series

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Abstract

Purpose

Full-endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (FELIF) is a new-generation treatment for spondylolisthesis. However, owing to their unique characteristics, the two main endoscopic fusion trajectories, the trans-Kambin and posterolateral approaches, have important limitations. Herein, we aimed to introduce a new technique called Kambin Torpedo FELIF (KT-FELIF).

Methods

The KT-FELIF technique is based on the trans-Kambin approach. It additionally completes ipsilateral total facetectomy and contralateral direct decompression. Thus, this novel technique combines the advantages of the trans-Kambin and posterolateral approaches.

Results

We reported on the indications and technical steps of KT-FELIF and provided intraoperative and animated videos to clarify the procedure. Short-term follow-up based on 3-month postoperative computed tomography and plain films images taken at least 3 months after surgery showed adequate bony decompression, a large bone graft contact area, and good intervertebral trabecular bone growth without radiolucent lines between the graft, cage, and end plate. The clinical results, such as ipsilateral and contralateral visual analog scale and Oswestry disability index values, gradually improved at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. No complications were observed.

Conclusions

KT-FELIF is a promising FELIF technique for achieving bilateral direct decompression through a unilateral approach while accomplishing thorough discectomy and endplate preparation.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code availability

Not applicable.

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Author notes

  1. Ping-Chi Tsai and Yueh-Ching Liu have contributed equally to the manuscript.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Education, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan Dist, Taipei City, 104217, Taiwan

    Ping-Chi Tsai

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital, No. 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City, 104217, Taiwan

    Yueh-Ching Liu, Ting-Kuo Chang, Lei-Po Chen, Yu-Ching Huang, Yan-Shiang Lian & Kai-Ting Chien

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  1. Ping-Chi Tsai
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by K-TC. The first draft of the manuscript was written by K-TC and P-CT, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kai-Ting Chien.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethics approval

The study was conducted according to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the ethics committee of the MacKay Memorial Hospital Institutional Review Board (approval number: 22MMHIS356e).

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The patients provided both written and verbal informed consent for participation in the study.

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Written informed consent was obtained from all patients for the publication of their data.

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Tsai, PC., Liu, YC., Chang, TK. et al. The novel Kambin Torpedo full-endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion technique: a case series. Eur Spine J 33, 417–428 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-023-07836-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-023-07836-9

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