Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy in The Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation: Effects on Early Rehabilitation

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the early rehabilitation and complications of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomies (PTEDs) in the treatment of lumbar disc herniations.

Methods: From July 2015 to January 2017, ninety-one patients with lumbar disc herniations who underwent PTEDs were retrospectively enrolled. During the six month follow-up period, a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative (3 days, 3 months and 6 months) disturbance indexes. The Macnab criteria were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, average length of the hospital stay, postoperative recurrence rate, and complications were observed and recorded.

Results: The VAS and ODI scores for the lumbocrural pain after the surgery were significantly lower than those before the surgery (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the lower back pain VAS scores on the postoperative 3^rd day, 3^rd month, and 6^th month (p>0.05). The leg pain VAS score on the postoperative 3^rd day was significantly lower than that during the postoperative 3^rd month (p<0.05). The lower back pain VAS score during the postoperative 6^th month was lower than that on the postoperative 3^rd day, with no statistical significance (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, PTEDs for the treatment of lumbar disc herniations are safe and effective, with less trauma and complications. In addition, the postoperative rehabilitation time was markedly shortened.