The Surgical Outcomes Of Microendoscopic Discectomy And Percutaneous Transforminal Endoscopic Discectomy For The Treatment Of Lumbar DISC Herniation

Background:Microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) are both minimally invasive surgical techniques for lumbar disc herniation. The study published until now showed that MED and PTED are safe and effective treatment modalities for lumbar disc herniation.Objective The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and the outcomes of microendoscopic discectomy and percutaneous transforminal endoscopic discectomy for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.Methods:A retrospective study was performed in the patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with MED (n=50) and PTED (n=36) in Zhongda hospital. All patients were followed up with self-evaluation questionnaires, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and MacNab criteria. All the patients in both groups were followed up to 12 months after the operation. Different statistical methods were used for the analysis of the data and a p value of<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results:In these two groups, there were no significant differences in age, sex, major symptoms and physical signs. With the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaires, there were no statistically differences between the two groups (53.00 v.s 48.72, p=0.112) before treatment, and the average scores and minimal disability between two groups at 12 months of follow-up were 4.96 in the MED group and 3.61 in the PTED group (p=0.999) after treatment. According to MacNab criteria,92.0% in the MED group and 94.4% in the PTED group got excellent or good results with no significant difference (p=1.000). The operation time and average expenses in PTED group were longer and higher (both p<0.001). Blood loss during operation in MED group is higher than in PTED group (p<0.001). Average length of hospital stay in both group was same (p<0.255). No complications were seen in both groups.Conclusions:Our study showed no significant difference between two methods of treatment.