ABSTRACT

Aim:

To discuss the early results of lumbar percutaneous endoscopic discectomy.

History:

Endoscopic disc surgery, which allows minimally invasive discectomy, is a method that has recently begun to be used in Turkey.

Materials and Methods:

23 cases, who were followed up for at least 12 months, were included in this study. The average age was 44.3 ± 13.5 years. 73.9% had disc hernia at the L4–5 level, 21.7% at the L5– S1 level, and one case at the L3–4 level. Regarding the anatomical localization, 47.8% were foraminal, 21.7% were paracentral, 17.4% were extraforaminal, and 13% were central.

Results:

The visual analogue scale (VAS) score for leg pain was 1.8 ± 1.4 postoperatively. Recurrence was seen in five cases. At the last follow-up, the VAS score for lower back pain was 3.2 ± 3 and the VAS score for leg pain was 1.4 ± 1.5. According to the MacNab criteria, 66.7% of the patients showed perfect results, 13.3% of the patients showed good results, and 20% of the patients showed average results. 80% of patients described themselves as fully healed. 93.3% of patients reported that they would choose the same procedure again.

Result:

Percutaneous endoscopic discectomy, which is as successful as microscopic discectomy, is a minimally invasive procedure resulting in high patient satisfaction.