ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that limited lumbar discectomy can harvest better clinical efficacy, but also face a higher risk of recurrence. In clinic, how to guarantee access to good effect, and meanwhile to reduce the probability of recurrent disc herniation? The annulus repair technology may be an effective way, but it is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the early clinical effects of endoscopic lumbar discectomy associated with annulus repair in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: Totaly 224 patients with lumbar disc herniation who accepted discectomy surgery were selected from the Department of Spinal Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University from January 2011 to January 2013, including 56 cases of microendoscopic discectomy associated with annulus repair (repair group) and 168 cases of microendoscopic discectomy (control group). Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale scores for lumbago and lower limb pain were recorded before and at 10 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months after operation. Simultaneously, operative time, blood loss, surgical complications, and postoperative recurrence of lumbar disc herniation were recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the repair group, only 51 patients completed the folow-up, while al the patients in the control group completed the folow-up. There was no difference between the repair and control groups before and after surgery in the Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale scores for lumbago and lower limb pain (P > 0.05), but at 10 days after surgery, the Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale scores for lumbago and lower limb pain were significantly decreased in the repair group (P < 0.05), and this trend continued until the 18th month after surgery. There were no dural tears, disc space infection, hematoma formation in the spinal canal and other serious complications. The recurrence rate was 9.5% in the control group and 3.9% in the repair group. 31.2% of relapsed patients in the control group received the second operation, while on patient in the repair group received reoperation. These findings indicate that microendoscopic discectomy associated with annulus repair can obtain remarkable early clinical results, and effectively reduce the recurrent rate and risk of secondary lumbar disc surgery, which is safe and reliable.