Research Article: Efficacy of limaprost combined with unilateral biportal endoscopic surgery in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis: based on time effects and stratified analysis
Abstract:
Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative spinal disease, frequently observed in the elderly population, characterized by symptoms such as low back pain and radiating pain in the lower extremities, which significantly impairs quality of life.
Patients were divided into two groups according to treatment modality: the intervention group (limaprost combined with UBE surgery) and the control group (UBE surgery alone). At baseline and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively, both groups were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, modified MacNab criteria, Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), cross-sectional area (CSA), and anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to analyze the interaction effect between treatment method and follow-up time on the above outcomes. A multiple linear regression model was applied to assess the effects of the intervention in different patient subgroups.
After treatment, the intervention group showed significantly better results in the primary outcome (VAS) and secondary outcomes (ODI, JOA, MMT, and modified MacNab scores) compared with the control group, whereas no significant improvement was observed in CSA or the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal. The intervention demonstrated a stronger effect on pain relief at 1 month postoperatively and a more pronounced effect on neurological function recovery at 3 months postoperatively; however, the improvement in functional disability did not change over time. Subgroup analysis indicated that patients aged ?65 years, with BMI < 25, and with central-type stenosis were more suitable for treatment with limaprost combined with UBE surgery.
These findings suggest that in the postoperative management of LSS patients, the combined application of limaprost and UBE surgery was associated with better clinical outcomes, particularly in pain reduction and neurological recovery, thereby potentially providing a new reference for the selection and optimization of related treatment strategies.
Introduction:
Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative spinal disease, frequently observed in the elderly population, characterized by symptoms such as low back pain and radiating pain in the lower extremities, which significantly impairs quality of life.
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