Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.16(3) > 1035853

Jang, Song, Kang, Kim, Kim, Yang, and Ko: Comparative Evaluation of Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy and Microdiscectomy Using Tubular Retractor System at L4-5 Level

Abstract

Study Design

A prospective, non-randomized study

Objectives

To evaluate the early clinical results of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and microdiscectomy (MD) using a tubular retractor.

Summary of the Literature Review

There are few reports comparing the clinical results of different minimal invasive surgical procedures for disc herniation.

Materials and Methods

Out of 41 patients who underwent a discectomy at the L4-5 level, 16 patients (Group I) underwent PELD and 25 patients (Group II) underwent MD. The surgical techniques were based on the patient's selection. The characteristics of the operation(operation time, time for C-arm, amount of removed disc) were compared with the clinical outcomes by evaluating the SLR (straight leg raising test), leg VAS (visual analogue scale), ODI (Oswestry Disability Index), hospital day, changes in disc height.

Results

Group I showed a larger amount of disc removed and exposure time for the C-arm than group II (p<0.05). However, the hospital day was shorter in group I than in group II (p<0.05). There were no differences in the leg VAS, ODI, the change in disc height and surgery time between the two groups at the last follow up. One case in group I had a neuropraxia of the L5 root that had recovered fully at postoperative 3months. In group II, there was one case of a postoperative hematoma and 2 cases of a dural tear.

Conclusion

Although the early clinical outcomes were similar in both groups, group I showed a larger amount of disc removed and more exposure time to radiation but a shorter hospital stay.

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Figures and Tables%

Fig. 1.
Measurement of the amount of removed disc using 5cc syringe. Disc materials extruded through working portal of arthroscopy was added to measure the amount of removed disc in PELD group. arrow: disc material flowed out through the working portal under surgery.
jkss-16-186f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Radiographic measurement of the disc height ratio (introduced by Mochida et al.)
jkss-16-186f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Computed tomographic scan at L4-5 level in prone position preoperatively. white lines: the preoperative trajectories for deciding entry points and angle of guide wire, arrow: the extruded disc, black square: the portion which will be removed disc in disc space to reach the true pathology (black arrow).
jkss-16-186f3.tif
Table 1.
Demographic data between two groups
$PELD (N=16) %MD (N=25) P -VALUE
*Sex (male:female) 9:7 17:8 0.61
Age (yrs) 37(20~69) 42(25~62) 0.52
*Disc type (protrusion:extrusion) 10:6 14:11 0.24
Sx duration (months) 3.4(1~18) 4.2(2~22) 0.80
SLR (involved leg) 43(30~70) 45(35~65) 0.35
Pre op VAS (leg) 7.3(5~10) 7.1(6~10) 0.32
Pre op #ODI 48(40~62) 50(38~68) 0.20
Mean followup (months) 13(6~19) 11(6~18) 0.53

2- test (others t-test), Lumbar Discectomy,

% Microdiscectomy

Straight Leg Rasing,

Visual Analogue Scale,

# Oswestry Disability Index,

$ Percutaneous Endoscopic

Table 2.
The comparison of perioperative factor and clinical outcomes between two groups
$PELD (N=16) %MD (N=25) P-VALUE
Pre op Discharge Last F/U Pre op Discharge Last F/U
*SLR (involved leg) 43(30~70) 84(70~90) 87(80~90) 45(35~65) 87(60~90) 87(80~90)
VAS (leg) 7.3(5~10) 1.5(0~4) 1.6(0~4) 7.1(6~10) 1.3(1~4) 1.1(0~5)
ODI 48(40~62) - 1 (2~14) 50(38~68) - 8(2~12)
Change of the disc height (%) 93(68~100) 94(70~100)
Complication case 1 3
Mean operating time(min) 89(45~180) 97(75~150) 0.13
#Mean C-arm time(sec) 41(17~120) 15(6~41) 0.03
#Removed disc(cc) 1.9(0.8~3.1) 1.1(0.5-2) 0.02
#Mean hospital stay 4(2~8) 8(4~14) 0.03

Straight Leg Rasing, * p<0.05 in independent t-test, dent t-test,

$ Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy,

% Microdiscectomy

Visual Analogue Scale,

Oswestry Disability Index,

# p<0.05 in indepen-

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