BACKGROUND We sought to construct a general methodology for objectively quantifying the learning curve associated with any surgical technique and to determine the number of cases needed to achieve a success rate of 90% for the technique of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy. To our knowledge, no other studies have observed the learning curve of endoscopic lumbar discectomy by transfora...

BACKGROUND Epidural steroid injection is a low-risk alternative to surgical intervention in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of epidural steroid injection in the treatment of patients with a large, symptomatic lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus who are surgical candidates. METHODS One hundred and sixty-nine patients with a large...

BACKGROUND Full-endoscopic technique discectomy (FED) or microendoscopic discectomy (MED) are 2 widely used minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. However, there is insufficient literature regarding the differences between these 2 surgical procedures. OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical outcomes of 2 different minimally invasive methods--full-endoscopic techn...

BACKGROUND The usual surgical treatment of refractory sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation, is open discectomy. Minimally invasive procedures, including percutaneous therapies under local anesthesia, are increasingly gaining attention. One of these treatments is Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (PLDD). This treatment can be carried out in an outpatient setting and swift recovery and r...

We aim to identify factors predicting patient dissatisfaction 2 years after discectomy for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in a Chinese older cohort. Preoperative and 2-year follow-up data for 843 patients were analyzed. After 2 years of discectomy, the patients rated their satisfaction by Patient Satisfaction Index (PSI), with response of 1 or 2 defining satisfaction and a PSI response of 3 or 4 ...

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis. PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy with fusion for degenerative cervical disc disease. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE Anterior spinal surgery originated in the mid-1950s and graft for fusion was also employed. Currently anterior cervical microdiscectomy and fusion with an intervertebral cage is a widely accepted procedure for t...

OBJECTIVE The authors conducted a retrospective study to compare the implantation of carbon fiber composite frame cages (CFCFCs) to the implantation of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages after anterior cervical discectomy for cervical degenerative disc disease. In addition, the predictive factors that influenced fusion or subsidence were investigated. METHODS A total of 58 patients with single...

BACKGROUND Lumbar disc prolapse is a common problem and the current surgical standard for its treatment is a microsurgical discectomy. Microendoscopic discectomy (MED) is a minimally invasive spinal procedure being done successfully for prolapsed intervertebral disc disease. AIMS We report the technique, outcome and complications seen in 107 cases of prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc who u...

Objective: The herniated lumbar disc (HLD) in young patients is increasing. The endoscopic discectomy has been used as a treatment option, but it is limited in the management of large extruded or migrated disc herniations. Recently, with an application of extreme lateral endoscopic lumbar discectomy (ELELD), it is possible to obtain access to epidural space directly and to remove herniated disc...

INTRODUCTION Coblation nucleoplasty is a minimally invasive method, at middle way between conservative and open surgical treatment of patients with degenerative disc disease and lumbar disc protrusion. Authors compare the outcome of patients treated through the two methods. MATERIAL AND RESULTS Two groups of 80 patients each were treated through open discectomy and nucleoplasty. Patients with...