Microendoscopic versus open discectomy in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare curative effects between posterior approach microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and traditional open discectomyin the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods A total of 70 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis from October 2000 to December 2002 were divided into two groups the MED Group ( n =30) and the Open Group ( n =40). Curative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results The rate of excellent or good results was 93.3% in the MED Group (28/30) and 90.0% in the Open Group (36/40), without statistically significant difference ( ? 2 =0.819, P =0.664). The operation time was significantly shorter in the MED Group than in the Open Group ( t =2.295, P =0.025). The intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in the MED Group than in the Open Group ( t =-42.344, P =0.000). The time to normal activities in the MED Group was significantly shorter than that in the Open Group ( t =-30.123, P =0.000). Conclusions Curative effects of MED are identical with those of traditional surgery in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, but shorter operation time, less blood loss and quicker postoperative recovery are achieved in MED.