Comparison of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy versus unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy for treating far lateral lumbar intervertebral disc herniation

Abstract

Purpose We compared the differences between percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PTELD) and unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy (UBE) as well as the differences between PTELD and UBE for treating L4/5 or L5/S1 far lateral lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 32 patients with far lateral lumbar intervertebral disc herniation at the L4/5 or L5/S1 herniation level. The patients were divided into the PTELD (n = 17) and UBE (n = 15) groups, all of whom had lower limb numbness and back and leg pain of varying degrees before surgery. Operation time and blood loss were recorded and analyzed statistically. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and MacNab standard were used to analyze the clinical outcomes of the two groups. Results The VAS and ODI scores of both groups showed marked postoperative improvement, and the clinical outcomes were comparable according to the MacNab standard. However, the VAS score of back pain 1 day after surgery in the PTELD group was significantly lower than that in the UBE group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the operation time of the PTELD group was significantly shorter than that of the UBE group (P < 0.05). Moreover, blood loss in the PTELD group was significantly less than that in the UBE group (P < 0.05). Conclusion PTELD is a good choice for far lateral lumbar intervertebral disc herniation because it has the advantage of shorter operation time, less blood loss, and milder postoperative short-term back pain compared to UBE.