Micro-endoscopic discectomy versus percutaneous endoscopic surgery for lumbar disk herniation

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Background:

• Lumbar disk herniation is a common condition requiring surgical intervention.
• Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and micro-endoscopic discectomy (MED) are established minimally invasive techniques.
• Comparative effectiveness data between PELD and MED is crucial for treatment selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and safety of PELD versus MED for lumbar disk herniation.
• To evaluate surgical outcomes including pain, disability, and recovery metrics.
• To identify the superior technique based on key clinical and operative parameters.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 216 patients with lumbar disk herniation from January 2016 to July 2017.
• Patients were randomized into two groups: PELD and MED.
• Comparison of surgical duration, blood loss, hospital stay, VAS pain scores, and ODI scores pre- and post-surgery.

Main Results:

• PELD group had a significantly longer surgical duration compared to MED.
• MED group experienced significantly greater intraoperative blood loss and longer hospital stays.
• Both PELD and MED showed comparable improvements in VAS pain and ODI scores post-operatively.

Conclusions:

• PELD demonstrates superiority over MED due to reduced intraoperative hemorrhage and shorter hospitalization.
• Despite a longer operative time, PELD offers significant benefits in patient recovery and safety.
• PELD is a viable and potentially preferable minimally invasive option for treating lumbar disk herniation.