The comparison of clinical outcomes of percutaneous lumbar disc ectomy with disc-fx system with fenestration and decompression for contained lumbar disc herniation (ldh) with radicular pain

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of percutaneous lumbar discectomy with Disc-FX System(FX) with fenestration and decompression(FD) for contained lumbar disc herniation(LDH) with unilateral radicular pain.Methods: Patients underwent surgery either by FX(25 patients,group Ⅰ) or FD(25 patients,group Ⅱ) due to contained LDH with unilateral radicular pain at L4-5 or L5-S1 level.Comparison was made on operation time,blood loss,complication of surgery and length of post-operative hospital stay.The theraputic effect was evaluated by comparing Oswestry Disablity Index(ODI) and Visual Analgue Scores(VAS) 1 day before operation and 6 w,3 m,6 m and 12 m after operation.Results: The operation time,blood loss and length of hospital stay in group Ⅰ was significantly lower than that of group Ⅱ(P0.01).There was no major complication in group Ⅰ,but Ⅱ cases in group Ⅱ with spinal dura mater injury.The VAS and ODI of 6 w,3 m,6 m and 12 m after operation were significantly lower than 1 day before operation in both groups(P0.01),but there was no significant difference between the two groups after operation(P0.05).Conclusion: Percutaneous lumbar discectomy with Disc-FX System can treat LDH effectively and safely.The method provides several advantages such as simplicity of operation,minimally invasive surgery and higher security,and can obtain clinical results as good as open discectomy.