Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: Clinical and Quality of Life Outcomes with a Minimum 2 Year Follow-up

Overview

Journal J Orthop Surg Res

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Orthopedics

Date 2009 Jun 27

PMID 19555483

Citations 16

Authors

Chan Wb Peng

William Yeo

Seang B Tan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is a relatively new technique. Very few studies have reported the clinical outcome of percutaneous endoscopic discectomy in terms of quality of life and return to work.

Method: 55 patients with percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy done from 2002 to 2006 had their clinical outcomes reviewed in terms of the North American Spine Score (NASS), Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 scores (SF-36) and Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and return to work.

Results: The mean age was 35.6 years, the mean operative time was 55.8 minutes and the mean length of follow-up was 3.4 years. The mean hospital stay for endoscopic discectomy was 17.3 hours. There was significant reduction in the severity of back pain and lower limb symptoms (NASS and VAS, p < 0.05) at 6 months and 2 years. There was significant improvement in all aspects of the Quality of Life (SF-36, p < 0.05) scores except for general health at 6 months and 2 years postoperation. The recurrence rate was 5% (3 patients). 5% (3 patients) subsequently underwent lumbar fusion for persistent back pain. All patients returned to their previous occupation after surgery at a mean time of 24.3 days.

Conclusion: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is associated with improvement in back pain and lower limb symptoms postoperation which translates to improvement in quality of life. It has the advantage that it can be performed on a day case basis with short length of hospitalization and early return to work thus improving quality of life earlier.

Citing Articles

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Surgical Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Highly Migrated Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Wang A, Yu Z J Pain Res. 2021; 14:1587-1592.

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Comparison of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy with Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion as a Revision Surgery for Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy.

Wang A, Yu Z Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2020; 16:1185-1193.

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The efficacy of bilateral intervertebral foramen block for pain management in percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy: A protocol for randomized controlled trial.

Sang X, Shan H, Hu J, Wu M Medicine (Baltimore). 2020; 99(41):e22693.

PMID: 33031340 PMC: 7544323. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000022693.

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