Comparison of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy and Open Lumbar Discectomy in the Treatment of Adolescent Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Objective: To compare and analyze efficacy and safety of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and open lumbar discectomy (OLD) for adolescent lumbar disc herniation.

Methods: Clinical data of 257 patients with single-segment adolescent lumbar disc herniation who underwent surgical treatment from January 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into PELD and OLD groups based on the surgical method used. Propensity score matching was performed using preoperative baseline data of patients in both groups, and some patients in both groups were selected for comparative study. Clinical and follow-up data were assessed and compared.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative baseline data between the 2 groups of patients after propensity score matching. Visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores improved in both groups postoperatively and at each follow-up time point (P < 0.05). However, visual analog scale scores on the first postoperative day and Oswestry Disability Index scores at 3 months postoperatively were lower in the PELD group than in the OLD group (P < 0.05). Duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, and duration of postoperative hospitalization were lower in the PELD group than in the OLD group (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups when comparing complication and recurrence rates (P >0.05).

Conclusions: Both PELD and OLD are effective and safe surgical techniques for treatment of adolescent lumbar disc herniation. However, compared with OLD, PELD is more advantageous for rapid symptom relief and improving postoperative quality of life with a low rate of complications and recurrence.

Keywords: Adolescent; Lumbar disc herniation; Minimally invasive surgical procedures; Open lumbar discectomy; Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy.