Treatment of the lumbar disc herniation by minimally invasive microscopy surgery compare with traditional operation / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the surgical outcome of fenestration assistant by microscopy for single-level lumbar disc protrusion (LDH), compared with tradition laminotomy and discectomy. Methods From January 2008 to January 2010, forty-eight patients underwent traditional open discectomy and 40 underwent microscopy surgery. The lumbar disc protrusion involved L3- L4 level in 12 cases, L4-L5 level in 46 cases, and L5-S1 level in 30 cases; preoperative JOA score was 8-19 points (average 12.9 points) for traditional open discectomy patients and 7-19 points (average 12.7 points) for microscopy surgery patients. Results Cauda equina injury was occurred and repaired in 2 cases in traditional surgery group. The follow-up period was 10-34 months (average 18 months) for all patients. No complications such as wrong orientation, nerve root injury, and infection occurred. The JOA score 10 months after operation was (24.0 ± 2.6) for traditional surgery patients with 87.5% success rate and (24.2 ± 2.8) for microscopy surgery patients with 90% success rate. Conclusion Two methods have similar clinical outcomes, but microscopy assistant fenestration for LDH has advantages of minimal invasion, shorter operative time, shorter length of hospital stay and less intraoperative blood loss. It is one of ideal minimally invasive operations for single-level lumbar disc protrusion.