Full-endoscopic technique discectomy versus microendoscopic discectomy for the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation

Background: full-endoscopic technique discectomy (fed) or microendoscopic discectomy (med) are 2 widely used minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. however,there is insufficient literature regarding the differences between these 2 surgical procedures. objective: to compare the clinical outcomes of 2 different minimally invasive methods—fullendoscopic technique discectomy and microendoscopic discectomy—in the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation. study design: retrospective study. setting: inpatient surgery center. methods: data form 65 patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with one of 2 minimally invasive procedures were retrospectively analyzed. patients were divided into 2 groups according to surgical method: the fed group (n = 35) and the med group (n = 30). surgery time,time kept in bed after surgery,duration of postoperative hospital stay,visual analog scale (vas; 0 – 10),and oswestry disability index (odi; 0 – 100%) were assessed and compared between the 2 groups. results: there were no significant differences in the preoperative data between the 2 groups (p > 0.05). vas and odi scores improved significantly postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.05). surgery time was longer in the fed group than in the med group (p < 0.05). however,the fed group was superior to the med group,with less time in bed,shorter hospital stay,and lower vas scores one day postoperatively (p < 0.05). there were no significant differences in vas or odi scores at one,3,and 12 months after surgery between the 2 groups (p > 0.05). limitations: this is a retrospective study with a relatively short follow-up period. conclusions: although the clinical outcomes of the 2 surgical techniques were similar,the fed had the advantages of quicker postoperative recovery and more immediate effect. © 2015,american society of interventional pain physicians. all rights reserved.