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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
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Full-Endoscopic Transforaminal Approach for Lumbar Discectomy
Published on: September 8, 2023
Minimally invasive compared to open microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation
Darryl Lau1, Seunggu J Han, Jasmine G Lee
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of California at San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0112, San Francisco, California 94143-0112, USA.
Summary
Minimally invasive microdiscectomy and open microdiscectomy showed no significant differences in outcomes. Both surgical approaches for lumbar disc herniation yielded similar results regarding recovery and pain improvement.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Open microdiscectomy was the traditional standard for lumbar disc herniation.
- Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly adopted, hypothesizing improved recovery and outcomes due to smaller incisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the outcomes of open microdiscectomy versus minimally invasive microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation.
- To evaluate perioperative, postoperative, and clinical follow-up results between the two surgical approaches.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 45 patients (25 open, 20 minimally invasive) who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy between 2005 and 2008.
- Data collected from medical records and clinical follow-up (in-clinic or telephone) for outcomes including operative time, length of stay, neurological status, complications, and pain scores.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed between the minimally invasive and open microdiscectomy groups.
- Key outcome measures including operative time, length of stay, neurological outcome, complication rates, and pain improvement showed comparable results.
Conclusions:
- Minimally invasive microdiscectomy does not offer statistically significant advantages over open microdiscectomy in terms of short-term outcomes for lumbar disc herniation.
- Both surgical techniques provide similar efficacy regarding operative time, recovery, and pain relief for patients with lumbar disc herniation.
