Fully endoscopic interlaminar and transforaminal lumbar discectomy: Analysis of 47 complications encountered in a series of 835 patients.

OBJECTIVE

To report perioperative complications in fully endoscopic lumbar discectomy (FELD).

METHODS

From September 2010 to November 2016, 835 patients underwent FELD. In total, 865 disc levels were operated on. Of the 835 patients, the transforaminal (TF) approach was used in 174 patients, while 691 patients were operated on using the interlaminar (IL) approach. Surgical complications occurred in 47 patients, which were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Neurological deficits occurred in six patients. In four of these six patients, deficits resolved spontaneously. In one patient, symptoms resolved after a laminectomy procedure. In only one case, the neurological deficit was permanent. Seven patients complained of dysesthesia, which resolved spontaneously with medical treatment in four patients. In the remaining two patients, dysesthesia symptoms improved after epidural and foraminal injections. Dural tears were encountered in 26 patients. Pudendal neuralgia occurred in three patients. Two cases showed wound infection. The other complications comprised one disc infection, one retroperitoneal hematoma and one wrong level surgery.

CONCLUSION

The FELD procedure has a steep learning curve and it is a difficult procedure to master. Surgeons should be aware of complications that can occur with the FELD procedure, most of which resolve spontaneously.