title: [Clinical classification and the operative curative effects of microendoscopic discectomy in the elderly lumbar disc herniation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the value of the classification of the elderly lumbar disc herniation(LDH) as an indication of microendoscopic discectomy(MED).
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on the pathological features of the elderly LDH, eighty-one patients over fifty years old (Group A) were proved to be intraspinal complications by traditional operation and were divided into I and II types which were compared with what were seen in the operation. Sixty-two patients over 50 years old (Group B) were treated with MED and reviewed retrospectively, and their curative effects were compared with their types.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A general intraspinal narrowness rate of Group A was 62.07% in Type I, 107.69% in Type II (P < 0.01). Group B was all followed up (mean 10 months). According to the macnnab criterion, the satisfactory rate was 100% in Type I, 75% in Type II (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical classification of the elderly LDH makes a significant effect on the treatment of MED, can be used as an indication of MED, and can be popularized in clinic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
authors.forename: Y Q
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Zhan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies