Open revision after minimally invasive lumbar transforaminal endoscopic surgery: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a prevalent degenerative lumbar disease in spine surgery, characterized by pain and discomfort in the lower back and lower limbs, accompanied by limited mobility. This not only significantly impacts patients' quality of life but also imposes a substantial economic burden on both society and individuals. The clinical management of lumbar disc herniation includes nonsurgical and surgical approaches. Surgical intervention is typically necessary when conservative treatment proves ineffective or in cases of progressive and substantial weakness in the lower limbs or cauda equina syndrome. In recent years, minimally invasive surgery has gained prominence in the field of spine surgery in China and has become one of the leading surgical methods for treating LDH. Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD) has demonstrated remarkable clinical efficacy in LDH treatment, although some patients still experience complications after the operation, particularly postoperative recurrence. In this article, we present a case of recurrent LDH following PELD and its subsequent treatment with open surgical revision. Additionally, we discuss the risk factors associated with postoperative recurrence of LDH to provide insights for clinical practice.