Interlaminar endoscopic discectomy for recurrent L4–5 and L5–S1 disc herniation

Background Revision for recurrent lumbar disc herniation (RLDH) is associated with epidural scarring and postoperative segmental instability. Endoscopic surgery is associated with better clarity, organised identification, fewer tissue lesions, and quicker recovery than open revision. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID) for patients with RLDH at L4–5 and L5–S1. Methods A total of 64 consecutive patients with RLDH underwent full endoscopic interlaminar discectomy between June 2022 and December 2024. Clinical outcomes were measured via the visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the modified MacNab criteria through a 2-year follow-up period. Results Significant improvements in VAS for back and leg pain and the ODI were observed post-treatment. Based on the modified MacNab criteria, 56 out of 64 patients demonstrated excellent and good, four cases in fair and four cases in poor at the 2-year follow-up. Conclusion PEID yields favourable clinical outcomes in patients with RLDH at L4–5 and L5–S1 within this cohort.