A Comparative Retrospective Study of UBE-ULBD Versus Open Surgery for Severe Thoracic Spinal Stenosis Caused by Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of UBE-ULBD for severe thoracic stenosis caused by high-occupancy TOLF.Methods This was a retrospective comparative cohort study. 57 patients were divided into Group A and Group B. Perioperative variables, imaging findings, and clinical outcomes were compared.Results Group A showed better early (1-week/1-month) back pain VAS scores (p < 0.05), but not at 3 months. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between groups in the following parameters: wound length (MD: −7.6, 95% CI: −7.88 to −7.32, p < 0.001); number of intraoperative fluoroscopies (MD: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.82 to 2.58, p < 0.001); time to ambulation (MD: −4.1, 95% CI: −4.34 to −3.86, p < 0.001); length of hospital stay (MD: −3.4, 95% CI: −3.97 to −2.83, p < 0.001); time to full weight-bearing (MD: −19.5, 95% CI: −20.86 to −18.14, p < 0.001); posterior bone loss rate (MD: −34.6, 95% CI: −35.78 to −32.51, p < 0.001); and incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage (RD: −19.6%, 95% CI: −36.9% to −2.3%, p = 0.033). No other significant differences were found.Conclusions In this retrospective cohort, UBE-ULBD provided similar neurological recovery to open surgery with earlier recovery and fewer complications in patients with high-occupancy TOLF.
Source: Journal of Investigative Surgery
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,970
OpenAlex ID: W7129036006