NATIONWIDE SURVEY ON INCIDENTAL DURAL TEARS DURING ENDOSCOPIC SPINE SURGERY IN JAPAN

Abstract

Purpose: The Japanese Orthopedic Association has conducted a nationwide survey on the status of endoscopic spine surgery in Japan every year since 2006. This study aimed to analyze incidental dural tear. Method:We sent questionnaires to all spine surgery hospitals in Japan and received responses from an average of 1296 hospitals (974–1746) each year. The average response rate for the questionnaire was 63.7% (45.2–85.8). Results:The average number of facilities performing endoscopic spine surgery was 314 (222–415). The percentage of facilities performing endoscopic procures was 24.3% (20.3–27.3%). Incidental dural tear accounted for 65.4% (3113/4758) of all complications, which was significantly higher than nerve root injuries, cauda equina injuries (4.6%), and hematomas (10.0%). The number of accidents resulting in harm to patients was 154 (3.6%) for incidental dural tear which was significantly less than that for hematoma (75.5%) and for nerve root cauda equina injury (49.5%). Conclusion:As the number of endoscopic procedures increased, the number of complications increased year by year. However, the rate of complications has remained constant, with incidental durotomy tending to be the most common endoscopic lumbar laminectomy for lumbar spinal canal stenosis.