Lumbar Tubular Decompression: Barriers and Limitations Hampering the Technique's Dissemination Across Latin America

• Published in: World neurosurgery 2024-05, Vol.185, p.55-59
• Main Authors: Gotfryd, Alberto, Duarte, Matias Pereira, Raskin, Daniel, Correa, Cristian, Van Isseldyk, Facundo, Guiroy, Alfredo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cross-Sectional Studies; Decompression, Surgical - methods; Humans; Laminectomy; Latin America; Lumbar surgery; Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery; Microsurgery; Minimally invasive spine surgery; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - instrumentation; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - methods; Spondylosis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tubular surgery
• ISSN: 1878-8750; 1878-8769; 1878-8769
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.143

We sought to explore the barriers and limitations preventing the widespread use of tubular lumbar spine decompressions in Latin America. A cross-sectional study was performed using a survey designed specifically by the authors. This survey was mailed to all spine surgeons who are members of AO Spine Latin America. Eighty-seven surgeons spanning 15 Latin American countries answered the survey. Thirty-one percent of participating surgeons claimed they needed to adapt their technique to perform minimally invasive tubular surgeries. Meanwhile, though 70.5% answered they do not consider tubular surgery expensive, 32.8% lacked access to standard equipment like a complete set of retractors or curved high-speed drill. Several barriers limit the development of tubular spine surgery in Latin America. The most important discrepancies between surgeons' preferred equipment and their availability for such operations are high-speed drills, bayoneted instruments, and hemostatic agents.