Indirect Puncture Using a Novel Arc Puncture-Guided Device in Percutaneous Transforaminal Puncture on Goat Lumbar Spine Specimens

Abstract

To investigate the implication of indirect puncture using a novel arc puncture-guided device in percutaneous transforaminal puncture in improving the puncture accuracy, reducing fluoroscopy times, puncture times and operation time. We have designed a novel arc puncture-guided device which consists of a 90°arc block and a 30°arc block. Punctures were performed on 8 fresh goat lumbar spine specimens. A senior doctor performed indirect punctures on the left side of L2/L3, L3/L4 and L4/L5 level side using the novel device (group A)，and on the right side of L2/L3, L3/L4 and L4/L5 level with conventional method (group B). We recorded the fluoroscopy times, puncture times and operation time. In group A, the first puncture could successfully reach the target after 1-3 punctures, and the one-time success rate of the second needle puncture is 91.67%. The total fluoroscopy times were 14.88±0.99 in group A and 16.08±2.22 in group B (p=0.027). The puncture times were 3.00±0.66 in group A and 6.04±2.13 in group B (P < 0.01). The operation time(s) was 273.75±30.19 in group A and 361.25±69.57 in group B (P < 0.01). There were significant differences in fluoroscopy times，puncture times and operation time between the two groups(P < 0.05). The indirect puncture using the novel arc puncture-guided device in percutaneous transforaminal puncture can significantly improve the puncture accuracy, reduce fluoroscopy times, puncture times and operation time. Indirect puncture using the novel device in percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) is a potential and practical puncture method.