Transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

BACKGROUND In this study we analyzed and presented our experience of performing transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TPELD). METHODS A retrospective study of 142 TPELD was conducted on 134 consecutive patients from 2001 through 2005. The inclusion criteria for patients were those who had leg pain with or without low back pain and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that revealed soft contained or noncontained but contiguous lumbar disc herniation (LDH). All patients failed at least 6 weeks of conservative treatment or could not tolerate it. RESULTS The patients had an average age of 38 years. The mean follow-up period was 8 months. The outcomes were evaluated using the modified MacNab criteria. The percentage of successful outcomes (excellent or good) was 89%. Among the remainder of the patients, six (4.5%) had open surgery later. Moreover, eight patients (6%) sustained temporary dysesthesia over the proximal lower limb of the operated side. No major neurovascular injuries or deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS In experienced hands, TPELD is minimally invasive, safe and effective for treating soft contained or noncontained but contiguous LDH.