Exact lumbar anterior epidural injection via extreme lateral approach: A novel technique and clinical outcomes

Authors : Buse Sarıgül, Ahmet Öğrenci, Levent Aydın, Goncagül Öndüç, Ali Fatih Ramazanoğlu, Sedat Dalbayrak
Pages : 361-369
Doi:10.29058/mjwbs.1790377
View : 29 | Download : 57
Publication Date : 2025-12-31
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Aim: Epidural injections have become popular for relieving back and radicular pain that is persistent to conservative therapy and is being widely used as an alternative to surgery. In this retrospective clinical study, we describe a new technique for direct anterior epidural space targeting via an extreme lateral approach for epidural injection and present 1-year outcomes of the intervention. Material and Methods: In this clinical study, patients who had persistent back or radicular pain despite conventional treatment for 4 weeks were included. Anterior epidural injection via extreme lateral approach was performed in patients with degeneration of the lumbar spine, lumbar disc bulging or protrusion, and lumbar spinal stenosis. Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores were evaluated preoperatively, on postoperative 1st week, 1st month, and 12th month. Results: 186 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 48.42±11.2. 72 (38.71%) patients were male, and 114 (61.29%) patients were female. The mean duration of symptoms was 16.4±14.13 weeks. The mean VAS score for back pain preoperatively was 7.92±1.77. The postoperative VAS for back were 2.1±1.29, 2.36±2.25, and 3.11±3.25 respectively for the 1st week, 1st month, and 12nd month.The average VAS for radicular pain was 4.49±1.91 preoperatively. Postoperative VAS were 1.89±2.68, 2.32±1.08, and 2.56±1.52 respectively for the 1st week, 1st month, and 12nd month. The ODI scores were 49.76±13.59, 11.69±5.35, 12.27±7.01, 14.3±7.32 respectively preoperatively, on the postoperative 1st week, 1st month, and 12th month. Conclusion: The extreme lateral approach for anterior epidural injection is a safe and feasible technique method for the treatment of back and radicular pain.
Keywords : Anterior epidural boşluk, epidural enjeksiyon, bel ağrısı, radiküler ağrı, ekstrem lateral

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