Endoscopic Surgery of Lumbar Disc Herniation. A Study of 1562 Cases

Objective. To describe the microendoscopic discectomy technique by an endospine operating tube assembly for all types of lumbar disc herniations. Material and Methods. 1562 patients were operated on between April 1999 and December 2001. In order to permit a valid analysis of the results, a study was begun. Before the operation, each patient was given a questionnaire and an explanation of what exactly was being asked. Results. Of the questionnaires given to 1562 patients, 1156 (74 %) were returned showing excellent results in 1105 cases (95.5 %°), good in 7 (0.6 %), moderate in 1 (0.1 %) and poor in 43 (3.7 %). The complications observed were: discitis in 5 cases (0.32); reoccurrence in 102 (6.5 %), of which 91 (5.8 %) needed a second surgery, 58 (3.7 %) at the same level and side; dural tear in 25 (1.6 %); nerve root injury but of no postoperative sequelae in 7 (0.45 %); and resection of the articular process in 36 (2.3 %). Of the 841 patients who were working before the operation and answered the questionnaire, 795 (94.5 %) were able to return to work within an average delay of 4 weeks. In answer to the questions on global satisfaction and on the accuracy of the information given before surgery, 1132 (97.9 %) responded as satisfied and 1115 (96.4 %) felt the information given was accurate. Conclusion. The results of this study are comparable to, or even better than those of open and microsurgical discectomy methods. Early post-operative mobilization allows early return to work.