Endoscopic versus conventional discectomy in lumbar disc prolapse

Abstract

Background: Discectomy is an accepted surgical treatment with better outcome, in the management of disc prolapsed. This discectomy is being done conventionally for several decades whereas endoscopic microdiscectomy is slowly picking up and more frequently being done in the past two decades. Though there were several advantage and disadvantages prevails among both procedures, the outcome remains controversy and thus this study was conducted. Methods: This study was done as a Prospective Randomized comparative study, among patients undergoing lumbar discectomy in the department of orthopedics at Sri Muthukumaran Medical College and Research Institute during January 2019 to January 2020. A total of 60 cases with disc prolapsed were included in the study. Thirty patients were randomized to each conventionl and endoscopic discectomy group. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI-for Low Back Pain) and VAS score (10 point scale) were used as clinical tool for assessment. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 20. Results: Significant higher duration of surgery, was reported in endoscopic discectomy compared to conventional discectomy whereas mean post operative pain score (VAS) and mean duration of hospital stay were significantly higher among the conventional group. Though ODI scores were high among the conventional group, it was not significant. Conclusion: Endoscopic discectomy is a novel, safe and effective method that minimizes invasiveness of the surgical approach.