Abstract:Objective: To investigate the advantages and value of dilator drift cannula in percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy ( PTED). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 62 patients with single segment lumber disc herniation who underwent PETD in our department from June 2019 to December 2020. Among them, 32 cases were used bone drill for intervertebral foraminoplasty to place the working cannula (group A), while the remaining 30 cases were used the dilator drift method to place the the working cannula (group B).The fluoroscopic exposure times and working cannula establishment time were compared between the two groups,and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain level of patients during the establishment of working cannulas. VAS score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to assess clinical outcomes at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation, the excellent and good rates of the patients was evaluated by the modified MacNab criteria at 6 months after operation. Results: All the patients in both groups were completed operation successfully without serious complications. Compared with the two groups, the fluoroscopic exposure times were 25.9 ± 7.8 and 14.3 ± 5.1 respectively in group A and group B (P<0.01), the working cannula establishment time were 39.8 ± 9.3 min and 22.2 ± 5.7 min respectively in group A and group B (P<0.01). Especially, the VAS score in the process of establishing working cannula in group B was significantly lower than that in group A (P<0.01). As compared with preoperation,the VAS scores and ODI were significantly decreased at each time point after surgery in both groups (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in VAS score, ODI and excellent and good rate between the two groups before and after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the bone drilling intervertebral foraminoplasty cannula, the dilator drifting cannula can also meet the operation requirements, and significantly shorten working cannula establishment time, decrease the radiation risk, reduce the pain of patients during operation, which is worthy of promotion in transforaminal endoscopic surgery.