Effects of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy on recurrent lumbar disc herniation

Abstract

Objective To study the effects of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) on recurrent lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods Ninety-six patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation who were diagnosed and treated in the First People’s Hospital of Jinzhong from February 2016 to February 2018 were selected. Treatment protocols were chosen as patients’ wish, and they were divided into transforaminal endoscopic discectomy group (n=48) and fenestration discectomy group (n=48). Patients in transforaminal endoscopic discectomy group were given PTED, and patients in fenestration discectomy group were treated by fenestration discectomy. The perioperative indexes, and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of leg pain and low back pain, and lumbar spine JOA score and corresponding improvement rates in the two groups were observed before operation and 6 months after operation. And the related adverse reactions were recorded. Results The intraoperative blood loss, first ambulation time and discharge time in transforaminal endoscopic discectomy group were significantly lower than those in fenestration discectomy group (P 0.05). At 6 months after operation, the VAS scores of leg pain and low back pain of the two groups were significantly lower than those before operation (P 0.05). At 6 months after operation, the lumbar spine JOA scores in the two groups were significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.05). Conclusions Recurrent lumbar disc herniation can be treated by percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy, of which treatment effects is comparable to fenestration discectomy. But PTED can reduce the intraoperative blood loss and shorten the bedridden time and hospital stay. Key words: Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy; Fenestration discectomy; Recurrent; Lumbar disc herniation