Abstract:Objective To explore the effectiveness, security, feasibility and application value of guide rod drift technology in percutaneous endoscopic discectomy.Methods 48 patients with single segment lumbar disc herniation were recruited for retrospective study from October 2017 to December 2018. Conventional puncture (conventional group, n = 23) and guide rod drift technique (guide rod group, n = 25) were applied respectively to place the working sleeve. VAS score, ODI score and modified MacNab standard preoperative, at 1 d, at 3 and 6 months postoperation were used to evaluate the degree of symptom improvement and clinical efficacy, and compared the fluoroscopy times, puncture time and operation time between the two groups.Results All the 48 cases were successfully completed and followed up with an average follow-up time of (12.0 ± 2.3) months. 1 case of the guide rod group was not improved because of incomplete calcified disc excision after operation, another case had incomplete paraplegia of L5 nerve root during operation and occurred a decline of muscle strength of lower extremities after operation. 1 case of the conventional group recurrence at 3 d postoperation caused by sneezing, both of them received revision surgery in the same way of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy at 5 and 6 d respectively after surgery, the clinical symptoms were completely resolved after renovation. There were no dural sac, abdominal viscera and vascular injury, infection and other complications. The number of fluoroscopy, puncture time and operation time of guide rod group were significantly less than those of the conventional group (P < 0.05). There were no significant difference in VAS score and ODI between the two groups (P > 0.05). VAS score and ODI score at different time point after operation in the two groups were significantly lower than that before surgery. The modified MacNab standard was used in the final follow-up, there were 36 excellent cases, 7 cases good, 4 cases acceptable and 1 case poor, the effective rate was 89.58%.Conclusion The technique of guide rod drifting is safety, efficient and controllable in percutaneous foraminal surgery, which can significantly reduce the number of fluoroscopy and radiation, shorten the puncture and operation time, and deserve the clinical expansion.