Three-Dimensional Reconstruction–Guided Development of a Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Disc Positioning Device in a Porcine Spine Model

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is commonly caused by annular disruption resulting from trauma or poor posture, leading to extrusion of nucleus pulposus material and compression of lumbar nerve roots. This condition often presents with radicular pain and sensory disturbances radiating from the lower back to the lower extremities. Although most cases can be managed conservatively, severe or refractory symptoms may require surgical intervention, including conventional discectomy, minimally invasive microscopic discectomy, and endoscopic discectomy. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) can be performed under local anesthesia; however, the procedure relies heavily on the surgeon's experience and is associated with technical challenges, including positioning difficulty, repeated fluoroscopic confirmation, and increased radiation exposure. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a novel percutaneous endoscopic lumbar disc positioning device designed to improve the precision and efficiency of disc positioning during PELD. This study developed a unique percutaneous endoscopic lumbar disc positioning device. The device was realized through the reconstruction and repair of 3D models of the porcine spine and lumbar spine, fabrication of a convex base plate, design of spinal spinous process and disc positioning guiding devices, computer-aided design of a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar disc minimally invasive surgical navigation module, and accuracy testing. Experimental results showed that the device could accurately locate positions on porcine spines and may reduce fluoroscopic dependence in experimental settings. The positioning device provided high precision, supporting minimally invasive surgery by reducing incision size, avoiding damage to surrounding critical blood vessels and nerve tissues, and offering multi-directional surgical instrument guiding paths, facilitating the surgical process. The percutaneous endoscopic lumbar disc positioning device described in this study provides a structured, reproducible approach to intervertebral disc positioning during PELD. This method has the potential to improve procedural efficiency, limit radiation exposure, and support surgical training, particularly for early-career spine surgeons.