The purpose of this study was to evaluate if wound drains could influence postoperative spinal epidural hematoma (POSEH) in biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (BESS) procedures for decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis.

How to reduce the rate of POSEH after lumbar spinal surgery is an obvious concern for spine surgeon. Wound drains were recognized as effective methods and typically used to prevent the development of symptomatic epidural hematomas after spinal surgery. However, whether range prophylactic postoperative drainage after spinal decompression for the prevention of POSEH is still controversial. Although there have been many studies focusing on the potential associations between wound drains and POSEH after lumbar spinal surgery, a prospective study focusing on the role of drains in minimally invasive surgery of BESS for lumbar spinal decompression has been rare. In present study, our team sought to investigate the influence of wound drains for POSEH and provide clinical evidence for the selection of drainage in BESS procedures for the decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

All patients with two level lumbar stenosis and neurogenic claudication with or without lumbar radiculopathy were eligible for inclusion.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients were excluded if radiography revealed lumbar instability (motion of >3mm at the level of listhesis), if they had had previous lumbar spinal surgery, or they had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class Ⅳ or severe systemic disease.