Comparison of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy through unilateral versus bilateral approach for L3/4 or L4/5 lumbar disc herniation with bilateral symptoms: technical notes and a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE

In this study, the authors described the technical notes of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PTELD) through unilateral approach and compared PTELD through unilateral versus bilateral approach for L3/4 or L4/5 lumbar disc herniation with bilateral symptoms.

METHODS

A prospective randomized clinical study was performed from June 2014 to October 2016. A total of 71 patients with lumbar disc herniation (L3/4 or L4/5) and bilateral symptoms were divided randomly into Unilateral-Approach group (n = 35) or Bilateral-Approach group (n = 36). Operation time, blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy and recurrences were recorded and analyzed statistically. Visual Analogue Scale scores, Oswestry Disability Index and the MacNab standard were used to analyze the clinical outcomes of the two groups.

RESULTS

The baseline data of the two groups were statistically similar. There was significant postoperative improvement in VAS and ODI scores in both the groups, and clinical outcomes are comparable according to the MacNab standard. However, VAS score of back pain at 1 day after surgery in Unilateral-Approach group was significantly lower than that in Bilateral-Approach group (P < 0.05). Moreover, operation time and cumulative time of intraoperative fluoroscopy of Unilateral-Approach group were significantly shorter than that of Bilateral-Approach group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For L3/4 or L4/5 LDH with bilateral symptoms, PTELD through unilateral approach is effective, with advantage of shorter operation time, shorter cumulative time of intraoperative fluoroscopy and milder postoperative short-term back pain compared to bilateral approach. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.