EVALUATION OF MIDTERM CLINICAL RESULTS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING FULL ENDOSCOPIC TRANSFORAMINAL AND INTERLAMINAR DISCECTOMY

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the midterm results and complications in patients undergoing discectomy via a lumbar interlaminar discectomy (ID) and transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (TFED) approaches. Materials and Methods: Clinical and radiological data from 22 patients who underwent lumbar discectomy via transforaminal and interlaminar techniques between 2016 and 2020 were evaluated. In all the patients, the diagnosis was made by history, physical examination, plain radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Discectomy was performed using a minimally invasive method in patients that did not respond to medical treatment and were symptomatic. Results: Thirteen male (59.1%) and nine female (40.9%) patients participated in the study. The average age of the patients was 49.4 (37.0- 66.0). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of gender and age (p>0.05). All patients had radicular leg pain that was unresponsive to medical treatment. There was no loss of mobility and muscle strength in the legs of 4 patients in the postoperative period. The preoperative visual analog scale score was 8.36, whereas the scores in the 3rd and 10th months decreased significantly to 2.14 and 2.59, respectively (p