Clinical Results of Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy in Herniated Intervertebral disc of Lumbar Spine / 대한척추외과학회지

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical outcomes and roentgenographic changes after an percutaneous endoscopic discetomy of an intervertebral disc herniation of the lumbar spine. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW Percutaneous endoscopic discectomy can preserve normal posterior element in the treatment for herniated intervertebral disc of lumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty two patients (41 men, 11 women), who had been treated with percutaneous endoscopic discectomy due to a herniated intevertebral disc of the lubar spine and were followed at least 1 year, were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 26.5 years (21~45) and the mean follow-up period was 42 months (12~76). Fifteen, 28 and 9 herniated discs were extracted from L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1, respectively. RESULTS: After the percutaneous endoscopic discectomy, excellent and good results were obtained in 71% (37 cases) of patients but 9% (5 cases) of patients reported poor results. A roentgenographic assessment at the final follow-up showed no instability and no degenerative spondylotic finding. However, the intervertebral disc space was decreased in only 1 case. CONCLUSION: An percutaneous endoscopic discectomy is an effective method for treating a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. However, prudent patient selection is very important for achieving good results.