Endoscopic surgery for managing sciatic nerve pathology: first results, possibilities, complications: а case series

Abstract

Introduction Sciatic nerve neuropathy is common pathology. Development of endoscopic method of decompression and neurolysis is extremely prospective. Objective Analyze the results of endoscopic decompression of sciatic nerve at a 1-year follow-up. Material and methods 15 patients (11 females – 79 %, 4 males – 21 %) were included into the study and were treated in the period from 2018 to 2022. Endoscopic sciatic nerve neurolysis and decompression were performed. Mean age of the patients was 47 ± 16 years. The severity of pain according to VAS was 8 ± 1. Motor dysfunction according to the BMRC scale was 2.6 ± 1.7 points. Degree of sensitive dysfunction according to Seddon scale was 2.9 ± 0.9 points. Functional activity of the lower limb according to LEFS scale was 49 ± 7 points. Results The severity of pain one year after surgery according to VAS scale decreased to 2.8 ± 2.6 cm. Degree of motor dysfunction according to BMRC scale became 4.4 ± 0.8 points. Degree of sensitive dysfunction according to Seddon scale became 3.7 ± 0.4 points. Functional activity of the lower limb according to LEFS scale increased to 68 ± 8.7 points. Efficacy of surgery in our study was 80 % (12 patients), there was one complication after surgery (6.7 %). Discussion Our study obtained clinical results that are comparable with the data of domestic and world literature. Conclusion Endoscopic decompression of sciatic nerve is an effective and low-traumatic method with a low rate of complications, which allows for pain relief, promotes restoration of function of the sciatic nerve and lower extremity.

Keywords

• sciatic nerve
• endoscopic decompression
• neuropathy
• neuropathic pain syndrome