Clinical study of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy for far lateral lumbar disc herniation

Objective Lumbar disc herniation is the common spinal disease.The far lateral lumbar disc herniation is a special type, which of the diagnosis and treatment are different from that of the conventional lumbar disc herniation.The aim of this paper is to observe the clinical effect and safety of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) in patients with far lateral lumbar disc herniation. Methods The clinical and follow-up data of 43 patients who were admitted in our hospital from September, 2013 to September, 2015 and diagnosed as far lateral lumbar disc herniation undergoing surgery therapy were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into experimental group (PELD:n=25) and control group (tradition open-operation:n=18) and followed up at least 6 months after the treatment.The clinical outcomes were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Lehmann Lumbar function score, operation time, the time in bed, blood loss, cost and complications and so on. Results There were significant difference in the VAS and lumbar function in two groups comparing that before the operation (P < 0.05), while there was no difference between two groups in the VAS score and lumbar function after the operation (P > 0.05).The operation time, the time in bed, blood loss, cost and complications who had PELD was significantly better compared with those in control group (P < 0.05), which shows that the patients in PELD group has less blood loss, shorter operation and hospital time and more safe complication. Conclusion PELD for far lateral lumbar disc herniation has more particular advantages than normal treatments, which should be further application and promotion in clinic.